April 2026 - Building Your Personal Board of Directors

I am obsessed with this idea...

If you’ve been following our newsletter since the beginning of January, you've spent the first quarter of 2026 building your foundation. You've audited your presence, thought about your legacy, and built a content strategy that works. Now it's time to talk about something that doesn't get enough attention: the people around you.

Your professional network isn't just a list of connections on LinkedIn. It's a living, evolving ecosystem of people who can guide you, challenge you, open doors for you, and help you become the leader you want to be. Most professionals, however, treat their network like a directory instead of a resource.

April is about changing that. It's about building what we call your Personal Board of Directors: a carefully curated group of people who bring different perspectives, experiences, and expertise to your career and your growth.

What Is a Personal Board of Directors?

A Personal Board of Directors is a small group of trusted advisors who guide your career decisions, challenge your thinking, and support your growth. They're not all mentors in the traditional sense, and they don't all serve the same role. Some may give you strategic advice, while others may connect you to opportunities. Some will tell you the hard truths you need to hear, and some will champion you in rooms you're not in.

The key is intentionality. You're not just collecting connections or hoping someone will magically show up to guide you. You're actively identifying the people who can help you grow and building relationships with them over time.

Most people don't have a Personal Board of Directors because they've never thought about it this way. They may have mentors but it's reactive, not strategic. Someone offers to help, and they take it. The most successful leaders are the ones who are intentional about who they learn from, who they listen to, and who they invite into their inner circle.

Who you need on your Board

Not everyone on your Personal Board of Directors serves the same purpose. You need different people for different things, and understanding those roles helps you identify who's missing and where you need to build relationships.

Here are the key roles to consider:

The Strategist

This is the person who helps you see the bigger picture. They're usually someone who's a few steps ahead of you in their career and can help you navigate decisions about where to go next, what opportunities to pursue, and how to position yourself for long-term success.

The Connector

This person knows everyone and isn't afraid to make introductions. They open doors, create opportunities, and help you access networks you wouldn't otherwise have access to. They're generous with their relationships and see value in connecting people.

The Truth-Teller

This is the person who will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear. They give you honest feedback, challenge your assumptions, and push you to grow even when it's uncomfortable. You need at least one person like this in your corner.

The Advocate

This person champions you in rooms you're not in. They speak highly of you, recommend you for opportunities, and advocate for your advancement. They believe in you and aren't shy about telling others why they should too.

The Peer

This is someone at a similar stage in their career who's navigating the same challenges you are. They're not ahead of you or behind you, they're right there with you, and that shared experience creates a different kind of support and insight.

The Industry Expert

This person has deep expertise in your field and can help you stay sharp, stay relevant, and stay ahead of trends. They're the ones you go to when you need to understand what's happening in your industry and what it means for your career.

You don't need all of these roles filled at once, but understanding what each role provides helps you see where you have gaps and where you might need to invest in building new relationships.

Identify the Right People

Building your Personal Board of Directors starts with identifying who should be on it, and that requires some honest reflection.

Start by asking yourself what you need right now. Are you trying to make a career pivot? You need a Strategist and a Connector. Are you preparing for a leadership role? You need a Truth-Teller and an Advocate. Are you trying to deepen your expertise? You need an Industry Expert.

Then look at your existing network. Who do you already have relationships with who could fill these roles? Who have you learned from in the past? Who has opened doors for you? Who gives you feedback that makes you better?

Finally, identify the gaps. Who's missing? What perspectives, experiences, or expertise do you need access to that you don't currently have? This is where you'll need to be more intentional about building new relationships.

LinkedIn makes this easier than it's ever been. You can see who's in your network, who's connected to people you want to meet, and who's sharing insights that align with what you're trying to achieve. The question isn't whether the right people are out there, it's whether you're being intentional about finding them and building relationships with them.

Connect with Mentors on LinkedIn

Once you've identified who you want to learn from, the next step is connecting with them. This is where most people get stuck because they're not sure how to reach out, what to say, or how to build a relationship without being transactional.

Here's what works:

Engage with their content first. Before you send a connection request or ask for their time, start by engaging with what they're already sharing. Comment thoughtfully on their posts, share their insights with your network, and show that you're paying attention. This creates familiarity and shows that you value what they have to say.

Personalize your connection request. Don't send a blank connection request. Take the time to write a note that explains why you want to connect. Reference something specific they've shared, mention a mutual connection, or explain what you admire about their work. Make it clear that this isn't just a generic outreach.

Lead with curiosity, not an ask. When you do reach out, don't immediately ask for something. Start with curiosity. Ask a thoughtful question about their work, share something you've learned from them, or offer something valuable first. The goal is to start a conversation, not make a transaction.

Be specific when you do ask. If you're going to ask for their time, be specific about what you're hoping to learn and why you're asking them. "Can I pick your brain?" is vague and puts the burden on them to figure out how to help you. "I'm navigating a career pivot into X, and I'd love 20 minutes to hear how you approached a similar transition" is clear, respectful, and makes it easy for them to say yes or no.

Follow up and follow through. If someone gives you their time, follow up with a thank you and let them know how you applied what you learned. If they make an introduction, follow through and keep them updated. The best relationships are built on reciprocity and respect.

The Bottom Line

Your network is one of the most valuable assets you have, but only if you're intentional about building it. A Personal Board of Directors doesn't happen by accident. It happens when you're clear about what you need, strategic about who you connect with, and generous in how you show up for others.

April is your month to take stock of who's in your corner and who's missing. Build the relationships that will help you grow, and be the kind of person others want in their corner too.