More than 80% of delegates participating in our 2016 webinar ‘How to achieve your leadership ambitions’ said that they are already working towards serving on a board – a fantastic result worth celebrating, particularly in light of International Women’s Day’s quest for women and girls to take responsibility for achieving their workplace ambitions.
Whether you’re one of the majority with a head start on your goal of reaching higher office, or one of the 17% who can’t quite imagine getting to that level, everywoman Associate Pippa Isbell, who has served on numerous boards, shared her advice for taking yourself to the top.
1. GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD
If you don’t have a career plan now’s the time to create one; if you do, it’s time to dust it off and ensure that your map of success resembles a tangible route to board level. Ask yourself:
- Does the journey I’ve outlined make best use of my strengths and talents while limiting the impact of my weaknesses? Things change, so it’s always worth conducting a new SWOT analysis to see if its results impact on your route. Where do you really need to elevate yourself? What experiences are your fundamentally lacking? As the leadership coach Marshall Goldsmith said: “What got you here, won’t get you there.”
- Where does my network come into play? Who do you know now who can lend some insight, make introductions, challenge your plan or open your eyes to new possibilities? Are there any relationships of old you can pick up again?
- Does your plan take into account all the options? Play devil’s advocate: if your proposed route looks like a promotional ladder, ask yourself if a lateral move or stretch assignment in your current role might put a big tick next to an item on your list of required experiences. If you’re already playing jungle gym, ask yourself if you’re pushing yourself hard enough or should be looking to step up sooner. While your plan should be achievable, it should also be just enough of a stretch to keep you motivated.
2. DO A TRIAL RUN
“Chance favours the prepared mind.”
As part of your research into what gaps you need to fill in your skills and experience, you should regularly check out advertisements for board level appointments – a quick Google search will throw up the websites worth subscribing too in your locale. Don’t be discouraged if many insist on previous board experience – remember that everyone who’s ever served on a board once did so for the first time. What probably gave them a helping hand, however, was hands-on experience in a similar capacity. Local charities, institutions and community organisations are great places to cut your teeth with a board appointment or governorship. Think outside the box and put yourself forward for any opportunities to demonstrate or acquire the skills you’ll later put to use in a business environment.
3. GET YOURSELF READY ON PAPER
Once you’ve some experience under your belt, you might want to start preparing some practice applications for a board appointment. “The way you write your CV for a job and the way you write for a board appointment are very different things,” cautions Pippa Isbell. So, it’s wise to draw on as many resources and as much help as possible: look for organisations that might support you; board apprentice schemes that give insight into how things are done; women’s networks frequented by board trustees who could spare time to help you add polish. A mentor with board experience can be an invaluable asset too –
look for someone who understands the process, can caution you as to any gaps you still need to fill in your experience, and boost your confidence at the same time.
4. SEEK SPONSORSHIP
It might be your mentor; it might be someone else in your organisation or industry who’s willing to advocate for your readiness – either way a sponsor can be the ultimate propeller in your plan. Remember though that a sponsor doesn’t replace preparation or skills development, and that the process of applying to a board position can be a long and daunting one. Never give up, never stop finessing your plan or identifying new connections who can help you put it into action.
5. BE A DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE LEADER
All the academic research coming out of top institutions is unanimous: the more diverse an organisation, the more satisfied its customers, engaged its workers and profitable it is. It is encumbered on all senior leaders to play their part in enabling diverse and inclusive working environments, and boards will increasingly want to see that you’ve played a role along your journey.
So while you’re reaching for the top, ensure that you’re behaving in a way that makes you a role model for those coming up behind you. Become a mentor and a sponsor of others in need of a leg up. Insist that those who are quietly doing a good job are acknowledged for it. Be aware of being fair in how you deal with people. Challenge your own unconscious biases and those of your peers, calling out any inappropriate behaviour or comments. Insist on absolute fairness in recruitment processes. Read widely around the subject of diversity and develop your own clear points of view. Above all, reach for the top – and encourage everyone around you to strive for their own ambitions too.
More ideas for getting board ready:
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