Developing your own personal board of directors

I first heard the concept of creating your own personal board of directors from Sasha Shillcutt, someone who seems to accomplish more in a day than most people do in a week. If you think of your life as an extraordinary company with the potential to impact the world, and yourself as its CEO, there is tremendous value in intentionally surrounding yourself with trusted people who help guide you forward and thrive.

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to help develop and become the medical director for a clinic serving the underserved. The steep learning curve introduced me to many new concepts, including how nonprofits build boards of directors and the critical role those boards play in representing both internal and external perspectives.

I needed people who believed in the mission and who brought different strengths, wisdom, and viewpoints to the table to help create the best possible clinic.

Providentially, I was able to gather a remarkable board. A former medical technologist with hospital administrative experience, a pharmacist, two office managers who had run medical offices for decades, a nurse, a gentle spiritual care leader with pharmaceutical experience, an experienced social worker, a business leader who had served on many boards, a community leader with fundraising experience, and an IT and materials expert. Some worked inside the clinic. Others were external voices. Some represented patients, some donors, and some the practical operational needs of the clinic itself.

All were committed to the mission of caring for people who had fallen through the cracks of healthcare coverage.

I was continually struck by the collective wisdom that emerged around the table. Together, they helped shape funding, community partnerships, hospital support, volunteers, workflows, and the systems needed to provide excellent care in a setting focused on both Health and Hope.

I’m still building my own personal board of directors.

Anytime I uncover a pattern, assumption, or area of limited self-awareness, I find myself grateful for trustworthy people nearby who help me see more clearly. Looking across the people I’ve added over the years, I’m reminded of that clinic board because many bring multiple kinds of wisdom to the table.

Over time, I’ve realized the people on our “board” often serve different purposes and bring different kinds of wisdom. And they may rotate off after a time.

Currently, I have:

• A woman who has known me the longest, worked inside and outside academic medicine, and recently became a coach. She brings years of leadership development experience, asks poignant questions, reminds me where I’ve been and what matters most, and consistently encourages me.

• A woman deeply grounded in personal growth and spirituality who is never afraid to challenge my assumptions or offer a different perspective.

• A woman who is a clinical rockstar and purveyor of all practical things.

• A former therapist who has lived across cultures around the world and now serves as a coaching leader. She is also my coach, mentor coach, and occasional coach supervisor. She reliably brings both a mirror and a flashlight, helping me find clarity when I need it most. (Who doesn’t appreciate a good mix of analogies?)

• A locally connected woman who knows me exceptionally well, is unapologetic in differing opinions, brings humor and authenticity, and holds me to very high clinical standards.

• A key representative for balance who helps ensure projects and ambitions never crowd out meaningful family connection.

• One delightfully down-to-earth woman who follows her joy unapologetically and helps me not take myself too seriously.

• A strategic expander who consistently spurs me toward bigger, scarier, and more meaningful possibilities than I might choose on my own. She helps me see beyond my current field of view and reminds me not to shrink my vision to fit my comfort zone.

• Academic leaders who offer sponsorship, sustained career wisdom, and the perspective that comes from navigating multiple seasons of professional life.

• A man with deep wisdom, memorable quips, and the rare ability to reframe an entire situation in a sentence or two.

• Sisters, daughters, a mom, and a spouse who keep me grounded while also serving as encouragers, cheerleaders, and reminders of who I am outside of achievement and productivity.

• And now, a new team member focused on personal finance and long-term planning, helping translate vision and values into sustainable practical decisions.

• And my parter and best friend who is my rock and joy.

Together, they help keep me anchored in both Health and Hope.

What I’ve realized over time is that the people on our “board” rarely serve just one function. The encourager may also challenge your thinking. The mentor may help you reality-check a situation. And sometimes the people who care about us most are the ones who can lovingly help us recognize patterns or assumptions we can’t fully see ourselves.

That may be one of the greatest gifts of a healthy personal board of directors: perspective.

Brené Brown often talks about the importance of diverse voices at the table and the courage to “rumble without armor,” if we want to grow well and lead wisely. After all, in a multitude of counselors, there is wisdom.

What areas of your life might benefit from another trusted voice? Someone who can help you see more clearly, challenge your blind spots, strengthen your mission, or remind you who you are when life gets chaotic?

Choose wisely, but don’t neglect the development of your own personal board of directors. You will gain insight, grow, make better decisions, and likely become more fully yourself in the process.

Have a joy-filled week,

Tonya