FOLLOW THIS VALUES-DRIVE PROCESS
Based on my Forbes article on "Personal Branding Wheel for Board Candidates" I have found that having a values-driven process to be indispensable to those getting ready to take on their board journeys. As a marketing professor and a board diversity advocate, I developed this tried-and-true branding methodology in order to help board candidates create a concise and authentic brand.
STEP 1
ALIGN: Define Your Why
When you are a first-time board candidate, you need to shift your focus from "I am an operator" to "I am an advisor/guide." Think of your “why” as Simon Sinek famously said.
Start with defining your core values. Just as brands like Apple and Nike have core values like “innovation” or “pursuit of excellence,” you as a board candidate need to re-evaluate what makes you motivated to show up professionally for your new board.
STEP 2
AMBITION: Define Your What
Next, craft your leadership brand statement. Develop a clear and concise statement that reflects your authentic values, strengths and leadership style. It should convey who you are as a leader and how you want to be perceived by others.
STEP 3
APPROACH: Promote Your Brand
One common mistake is that board candidates start here without reexamining their why and what their brand is.
After aligning those personal values with your why and then your aspirational brand as a board member, you can then focus on "how to land the plane" with your approach and plan.
STEP 4
ACTIVATE & AMPLIFY
Activate your strategic network of sponsors, allies and champions to let them know you are seriously pursuing board roles. Remember to also ask for feedback on specific examples that highlight your strengths in governance and big-picture thinking.
STEP 5
ALIGN w) Community & Orgs
Demonstrate your leadership brand with your future board(s) in mind. Be sure to articulate why your board brand makes sense for the organization you are about to join.
Iterate: go back to Step 1 as you join your first board.)
JOIN THE NEXT COHORT IN 2025
Fall 2024 is already full, but let's chat so I can add you to the waitlist: calendly.com/climbaboard/connection-discovery-call
Hi, I'm Coach Kelly
Why work with me?
In serving on two boards (American Money Management and Eagle Genomics), I have learned first-hand what it takes to be in the boardroom. More importantly, having co-chaired Women in Bio's Boardroom Ready program, I have seen hundreds of women successfully land their first board seat.
As your coach, I look forward to helping you assess your own personal brand as a board candidate, activate your existing network to build awareness, and lastly increase your visibility by engaging with the alumni and advisors that I already work with.
Why use a coach?
As most board journeys are unique and vastly different than getting a job, I can help guide the way by using my own experience and leverage a broad network of advisors and alumnae who have done this before.
Could I learn the same thing at other board-readiness program at universities/non-profits?
You can learn a great deal from those programs on the mechanics of board governance. However, with me, you will learn from the collective wisdom of women who have already attained their board positions, as well as leverage the network of advisors and advocates who are passionate about achieving gender equity at the boardroom level.
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