Don't Leave the Country Without First...
"I'll give you 3 years, then we're moving back to Canada." 
That was what my husband (then boyfriend) said to me the night before he crossed the border into the States to move to Boston where I had been living for a year after graduating college. I agreed...with my fingers crossed behind my back.Nine years, 4 jobs, 2 homes, 1 graduate degree, and 2 children later, we agreed it was time to move to Canada. Back to Canada for him. I was excited, nervous, and pretty unsure what would happen with my career. Moving to a new country. A tiny network. A planned short sabbatical.I spent my last six weeks in Boston saying goodbye to friends and colleagues. One morning I had breakfast with Carol. She asked how I would stay in touch with my contacts in Boston, herself included. I hadn't thought about this beyond typical emails, texts, and regular communication I had been using to keep in touch with people as I moved around the world since 1979 (then it was letters). Carol suggested building a group of advisors – my own board of directors – and offered to be my first member. She turned into a very influential advisor.We moved to Calgary, unpacked, found a school and hockey association, joined a gym, and started to feel settled. At a cowboy poetry reading (yes you read that right), I was introduced to a woman in a senior role at a prominent foundation in Calgary. Fast forward a few months later, I received a job offer.Then the questions and doubt started flooded in: Is this the job I want? Is this the organization I want to work for?I spoke to my husband, my mom, my aunt, a few friends and gained some clarity, but was still unsure.It was then that I remembered my Board of Directors. I called Carol immediately, asking for her advice. I described the offer, the positives, the potential negatives, and my hesitations. She asked a few poignant questions. And then stumped me when she said, "Don’t take that job! Why don’t you work for us instead?"She heard what I was looking for - responsibilities, control of my time, future possibilities, working with leaders in the field, and travel. I worked with Carol building her company iRelaunch for the next 5 years, and loved it. When I decided to start my coaching practice, Carol was again the first person I called for advice.What to Consider When Starting Your BoardEven if you love your job, and you're not looking for a new one, you still need a Board of Directors. They will guide you as you accelerate you career.Your Board of Directors should consist of individuals who can play an unbiased role that solely serves your best interests. They are meant to:
- Keep your goals in mind (not theirs)
- Be your biggest fans
- Advocate on your behalf
- Offer a different and challenging perspective
- Push you to the edge of your comfort zone when you need it
- Ask questions that prompt you to consider other avenues and options
A good board member does NOT consider the impact of your decision on them. When one of my clients, Mark, was about to accept a new role, his current colleague offered advice that made Mark reconsider. Eventually, Mark realized that his colleague's advice was stemmed from the negative impact Mark's departure would have on him. That is not someone you want on your Board.Take action today to build your Board of Directors. Here’s how to get started:
- Make a list of 3 people who can play an unbiased role.
- Consider former bosses, colleagues, clients, peers, and retired professionals.
- Reach out and explain your goal. They will be flattered you ask and pleased to play this role in your career.
- Consider others who can potentially ‘serve’ on your Board – today or in the future.
LESSON LEARNED: When making decisions in your career, external advice and guidance is needed. Take control of your career – be in the driver’s seat – without going at it alone. And if you're going to leave the country, state, or city, be sure you have your Board of Directors in place first.
