Is the boardroom in your future?

?Is the Boardroom in your Future??

The following is from Karen Puckett , Chair of the Board for Lumos Fiber?

I recently hosted a webinar for the Fiber Broadband Association about my journey to the boardroom. As a woman on the boards of public and private companies, I aim to share my experiences with aspiring leaders – particularly women, since many of us experience ‘imposter syndrome’ or lack confidence in the workplace. A quote from Diane von Furstenberg does a great job of summarizing how many successful and accomplished women feel:?

“You know, there’s a thing about the woman across the room. You see the woman across the room, you think, she’s so poised; she’s so together. But she looks at you, and you are the woman across the room for her.”

As a woman interested in leadership, don’t overlook yourself. You are the woman across the room, and you should have the confidence to see yourself in the boardroom.?

As of last year, only 28% of board positions were held by women, a shockingly low figure when looking at the makeup of corporate America. However, studies show that companies with more than one woman serving on their board perform better. There’s increased innovation, improved decision making and higher financial performance when a board reflects diverse voices and experiences. In recent years, companies have pledged for improved diversity in their governance, but there is still an immense amount of growth left.?

As more women enter the boardroom, we must keep the door open for future generations. No journey is linear, and everyone’s experiences are different, but below are the areas of professional development I recommend if interested in board service.

1. Practice Leadership at all Levels?

You do not need to be a CEO to be a leader, nor do you need to be a CEO to serve on a board. In fact, 74% of new board members come outside the ranks of CEO, Chair/Vice Chair, President and COO. Leaders in any field must know how to manage a team, set a strategy, and make executive decisions. That is why boards are expanding, looking beyond only business experts to include individuals from HR, sales, marketing, engineering and more.??

2. Become the Expert

By understanding the industry trends, competitive landscape, customer behaviors, innovovation and the regulatory environment, you become an expert in your industry. As you do this, you should also seek to understand the internal operations of your business – analyzing efficiencies, maximization of profit, cost structures and more. Learn and understand the perspective of all stakeholders – including employees, customers, investors to name a few. You’ll build your potential as a board member through thought leadership and industry expertise.?

3. Build Relationships and Your Network?

The quality and quantity of your relationships will grow as you become a leader. Ensure you tend to all the contacts you make along the way. You can do this by attending events, engaging with people on social media, or joining professional organizations. With your new connections, don’t be shy: talk about your professional goals, volunteer for leadership positions, and make it known that you are investing in your future as an organizational leader.?

Let’s continue to pave the way for other women leaders by offering guidance and mentorship and remaining open to change. Our industry has an incredibly uneven distribution of men to women, from field technicians to marketing to engineers. I am proud to work with the Fiber Broadband Association’s Women in Fiber Committee to close the gap.