Like a Successful Company, You Could Use a Good Team of Advisors and Champions

Hi. Welcome to Bloom Anywhere. I'm Gwen Moran, a writer, editor, author, and problem-solver. My goal is to share information, ideas, and resources to help you overcome obstacles, reach your goals, and get more joy out of life, even when things are messy. Thanks for joining me. (If you got this from a friend, subscribe here: Bloom Anywhere.) I'd love your feedback and suggestions for future topics. Please send me an email: connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Think of some of the most famous founders and CEOs. Names like Sara Blakley, Mary Barra, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and others may come to mind. And while these leaders run very different types of businesses, they each had one thing in common: Their companies have strong boards of directors and trusted advisors that helped guide them along their storied and sometimes challenging paths.

The Board for You, Inc.

Having a personal board of directors can be helpful in our lives, as well. Think about it: What if you had a team of experienced and respected people to call on when you had questions or needed to bounce around a few ideas? Cultivating relationships with people who understand you, have an interest in your well-being, and are willing to give you honest and knowledgeable advice to help you succeed can be invaluable.

Roughly a decade ago, I interviewed master networker Harvey Mackay, author of Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive and other bestsellers, as well as other networking experts, about the essential people they needed in their lives. Among Mackay’s picks were a best friend, who can be a friend or spouse who will act as a trusted confidante, and a mentor or coach to help you grow. HR consultant Lynn Waymon, author of Make Your Contacts Count, advised having a “wise elder” who can provide a voice of experience and a critic who will ask you the tough questions. Dr. Ivan Misner, founder of networking group BNI and author of Masters of Networking, suggested choosing boards not by roles, but by attributes like values, achievement, respect, and diversity. (Also remember that great advisors may be younger than you.)

Your board members will vary based on your life, priorities, and goals. For example, you may have professional members who are mentors or trusted colleagues who can advise you on career or business issues. Or consider having someone whose relationship or parenting skills are top-notch, who can provide an ear (or a shoulder) when you need it. You may have board members who fall into categories like finance, fitness, career, spirituality, or even a hobby. But also think about the value of having someone who can play “devil’s advocate” or who can bring a fresh perspective that may be different than your own to help you broaden your views and cultivate greater understanding.

Building Your Board

While building a personal board may seem like a transactional exercise, the best ones are anything but that. You should have two-way relationships with your board members, devoting time to helping them, as well. You should strive to cultivate relationships that are founded on trust, mutual respect, and genuine interest in one another’s well-being. Invest time in understanding their priorities, values, and intentions while also sharing your own.

Whenever possible, work on developing the relationship before you ask for anything. I have found that most people have a natural inclination to help when they can, but it’s easy for that balance to become burdensome if you’re not careful. Be sure to respect their time and expertise by making your requests for help and information specific, and avoid asking for too much or too often. Check in periodically to ask about their work or challenges so you can support them, as well. These types of collaborative and balanced relationships can develop into trusted bonds that are deeply rewarding for both of you.

Who Would Be on Your Board?

Think about the advisors who would make a difference in your life. And how can you become a trusted and knowledgeable advisor to others? I’d love to hear how you'd organize your board and who you think might be on it. If you’re inclined, please send your thoughts to me at connect@bloomanywhere.com.

Bloom Drops

Things I want to share with you.

Writing. Do you want to make progress on a writing project? Shut Up and Write is a free resource that helps writers create spaces, both online and in person, “to write, share, and inspire each other.”

Listening: Sometimes, you need to hear a great story. The Moth podcast delivers. Poignant, funny, thought-provoking—whatever flavor you like, you’ll find it here. Some of my favorites include French Vogue editor Joan Juliet Buck’s story of living in a haunted Paris apartment and my friend Andrea Collier’s story, “Meeting Miles.”​