Better in 30: Build Your Personal Board of Directors

You do not have to navigate your career alone.

The most successful professionals rarely rely on a single mentor, manager, or colleague for every kind of guidance they need. Instead, they build a network of trusted people who can offer different perspectives, expertise, encouragement, connections, and candid feedback.

Think of that network as your personal board of directors.

In this focused Better in :30 course, you’ll learn how to intentionally build a personal board of directors that can support your career growth and professional development. You’ll identify the different kinds of people who can add value to your “board,” assess where your current network is strong, and recognize where you may need to develop new relationships.

You’ll also learn how to approach potential board members without making the relationship feel awkward or overly formal. A personal board of directors does not require an official invitation or recurring meeting. It is about building authentic professional relationships with people whose perspectives can help you make better decisions and continue growing.

You’ll learn how to:
• Understand the purpose of a personal board of directors
• Identify the different roles people can play in your professional network
• Evaluate the strengths and gaps in your current network
• Choose people who bring different perspectives and experiences
• Build relationships before you need advice or assistance
• Ask for guidance in ways that respect other people’s time
• Maintain mutually valuable professional relationships
• Use your network to think through career decisions and opportunities
• Expand your professional support system over time

Whether you are early in your career, preparing for your next move, stepping into leadership, or simply looking for a more intentional approach to networking, this course will help you build a stronger circle of professional support.

In about 30 minutes, you can begin creating a network that helps you make better decisions, broaden your perspective, and move through your career with greater confidence.