How to Build a Personal Board of Directors

One of the things I've been working on at CrossFit is toes to bar. This is where you hang from the rig and you swing your legs up so that your toes touch the bar where your hands are.??

And I can do them, but not consistently.??

I'll do one. I might get close on the next one. I might get close again, and then I'll need a break, so I jump down and reset.?

I could continue practicing this way, but it won't help if I'm doing them wrong. I need to be set up to do them correctly, and then practice and see progress. ?

What's the easiest way to do that? It's to get an outside perspective.??

When I have a coach watching me, they can correct me and give me feedback to help me achieve my goals. They can encourage me to keep going or tell me to take a quick break when I'm getting fatigued.?

It's that outside perspective that will help me be more consistent because they can see things I can't.??

• My position
• My form
• My swing
• My progress

The same is true in all areas of our lives, including our careers.?

That’s why on episode 122 of the podcast, I'm talking to self-proclaimed nonprofit nerd, Jarrett R. Ransom, MBA , about how to create a personal board of directors to help you thrive in your career.

Personal Board of Directors: What Is It?

Your personal board of directors is a small, diverse group of trusted advisors who provide guidance, honest feedback, and strategic insight throughout your career.

Why This Career Insight Matters

As nonprofit leaders, we spend a lot of time investing in other people. We often invest in mentoring, coaching, and leadership development for others, but building a personal board of directors is building an intentional support system for ourselves.

Having a personal board of directors improves:

? Decision-Making – Trusted advisors help you see blind spots and navigate tough choices.

? Career Acceleration – The right people challenge and push you toward growth.

? Confidence – When you have a go-to team for support, you don’t have to figure everything out alone.

How to Build Your Personal Board of Directors

Jarrett suggests:

• Identify Your Gaps – What areas of leadership, skills, or mindset do you need guidance on? Look for mentors who can fill those gaps.
• Diversify Your Board – Your board should include people from different backgrounds and industries, not just those in your immediate circle.
• Make It Intentional – Let your board members know why you value their input and be clear about how you’d like to engage with them.
• Keep It Dynamic – Your career evolves, and so should your board. It’s okay to add or rotate members as your needs change.

To learn more about building your personal board of directors, tune into episode 122 of the Learning for Good podcast.

Upcoming Events for L&D Pros

Career Conversation with Nonprofit L&D Pro, Dr. Jaimie Hoffman

What types of L&D roles are available in nonprofits?

What types of nonprofits hire L&D roles?

In this series, we will be meeting nonprofit L&D pros and learning more about their organizations, who they create training for, how big or small their team is, and so much more!

Plus, we'll hear their career journey with all its twists and turns.

This is the perfect event for you if you are in nonprofit L&D or are considering pivoting into nonprofit.

?? LinkedIn Live

?? Mar 4

?? 11:15-12 CT

We'll hear from Dr. Jaimie Hoffman from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Note the new date/time.

This event is open to anyone. RSVP here.

How the Society of Women Engineers Created Their Custom Competency Framework

How do you build a competency model that resonates with your unique audience?

In this session, Rachel Porcelli will share how she developed a competency framework tailored to the needs of her organization, the Society of Women Engineers. She worked to ensure relevance, connection, and real-world application. You'll walk away with insights on designing competency models that align with your mission, connect with your learners, and drive meaningful growth in your nonprofit.

?? Zoom

?? March 6

?? 12-1 CT

This event is open to all nonprofit employees in a training or leadership development role. Reach out to Heather Burright to see if it's a good fit for you.

Additional Resources Just for You

?? Follow or subscribe to the podcast on Apple or Spotify so you don’t miss next week’s episode. I'll be sharing how to build a learner persona so you have a clear picture of your learners' needs.

?? Not in the nonprofit sector but looking for a new role? Join my email list and get a nonprofit L&D job direct to your inbox every Monday.

?? Working inside a nonprofit or association? Join the Nonprofit Learning and Development Collective, a community of nonprofit and association L&D pros where you can connect with each other, learn from industry leaders and tech vendors, and find the support you need to make a real impact.

P.S. Here's how we can work together. I help nonprofit and association teams create behavior change by partnering with them on their instructional design and leadership development needs. If you have training needs coming up, schedule a call with me so we can explore what this would look like for you.