Who’s your A-team?
December 20, 2010 § 3 Comments
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Every big company has a board of directors to give it direction. Companies are selective about who is on the board and the qualifications they have for being there. The day-to-day operations are left to the employees, but the big decisions can’t be made without input and approval from the board. This can sometimes seem like a long and cumbersome process, but the board is there to ensure the long-term success of the company.
What difference would it make in our own lives if we consciously chose our own board of directors? What positions would you have available and who would you choose to fill them?
Unlike a formal board, each of us can create our own unique combination of roles for personal governance to complement our strengths and weaknesses. You retain ultimate veto power over the board’s decisions. That being said, you also have complete control over who has the authority to give you advice you’ll trust.
My own board of directors would have the following positions:
Chair – The Chair is the one responsible for all decisions made at the end of the day. This position requires the utmost faith, confidence and trust in the person’s ability to lead and make the right choice for your overall success. Ideally, the Chair is you.
Director, Grounding & Good Sense – The primary function of the Director, Grounding & Good Sense is to call your bullshit and keep you on track. He/she knows when you’re making excuses and isn’t afraid to give you the kick in the butt you need to set you back on the road to success. It’s this person’s advice you seek at the beginning of an idea to help you outline a path and the obstacles you may face.
Director, Dreams & Unlimited Potential – This position is here to keep you afloat in those times when ‘reality’ has taken a bite out of your confidence. This person already knows you can do what you set out to do, and reminds you of this when you aren’t so sure. Consultation should happen with this Director when a creative solution is required for a problem or when you’ve heard the word ‘can’t’ one too many times.
Director, Slack – Sometimes you’ve been working towards something for so long and so hard that you just need somebody to cut you some slack. Everyone else is pushing and supporting you, you can’t let go of your goals and you’re striving for the stars, but it’s one of those moments when you’ve got a lot of balls in the air and your arms are getting really, really tired. This person will either step in to take over while your arms rest, or help you lighten the load for a while… ie cut you some slack. It is wise to seek counsel with this Director before you qualify as ‘burnt out’, but often times this happens post burn out.
Director, Special Projects – The role of this position is one of those ‘other duties as required’ kind of things. It’s for that person who just seems to be a great go-to person in all kinds of situations when the skills of the other members of the board just don’t seem to fit.
The board doesn’t necessarily need 5 different people to fill each role. Maybe it’s just one other person, or maybe you have multiple people who play this part for you in different situations. But identifying those ‘go-to’ people in your life helps you recognize your own strengths and weaknesses and those of your closest network of people.
Have you ever thought about your board of directors? What positions would you have and who would fill them?
The Muse and Views 
Great post Wendy. I like the concept and it has me thinking about my own Board and the support I need in my own life.
[…] week, Wendy discussed the concept of an internal board of directors – roles for personal governance to complement our own strengths and […]
You asked, Wendy, “What difference would it make in our own lives if we consciously chose our own board of directors? What positions would you have available and who would you choose to fill them?”
In the work place, board of directors provide direction but also, as you pointed out, ensure the long-term success of the company. So in a personal viewpoint, my board of directors would ensure I didn’t stray off the beaten path so I would have long-term successes.
Or, is there another alternative? Yes, there is! I would I choose people who encourage, motivate, and stimulate my mind, but who could entice me to try new and potentially more efficient ways of accomplishing goals – In other words, my team could encourage me to forage my own way *while* going off the beaten path. (Unless of course, the beaten path was the right path for me. I must be realistic about this.) I desire a team of players would work well with my ideas, thoughts and opinions, and I in turn would be open to their input.
We all have strengths and weaknesses, but I admit I would be happy to have veto power over my team. It allows one to be in a position of ultimate control in their own life, which should be a priority.
Here are the people I would pick, for the roles you outlined.
Chair – The Chair is the one responsible for all decisions that are beneficial for overall success. You stated, Wendy, “Ideally, the Chair is you.” I can go for that since we should oversee our own lives.
Director, Grounding & Good Sense – Keeps person on track, doesn’t accept excuses or bullshit. I need me summa’ that! Often, it’s easy to find an excuse for why not to proceed. It can be easier to back down than it is to move forward. Moving forward without looking back too many times can be a useful tactic for the Director to use. I have a friend in mind for this position, but someone like Ellen (comedian and daytime show) would be a wise choice for this role. Plus, she would add an element of humour in a healthy dose.
Director, Dreams & Unlimited Potential – AKA, ‘The Little Engine That Could’. ‘Can’t’ is not an option. This would be like Susan Powter in her Burn Fat Get Fit videos. She says to jump, and I ask her, ‘How high?’ I could do it, if I didn’t unhook my old VCR and if I could find her workout on DVD. Sounds like I need to talk to my Director of Grounding and Good Sense.
Director, Slack – This director allows a break, so you can rejuvenate. They help to prevent ‘burnout.’ Think of the most fun and engaging person you know. This is the person for this job. These are the people who can make you smile when you’re busy at work, and make the day go much better. IRL I have a friend like this already, but, can you imagine having a fun person such as James Franco’s character in the movie, ‘Why Him?’ He was eclectic, spontaneous, bold, and absolutely everything a daughter’s new boyfriend should not be. But he had charisma and knew how to have fun. He would point you in the direction of a break if you needed one.
Director, Special Projects – We all have a go-to person who innately understands exactly what you need. In the ‘School of Rock’ movie, this would be Summer, who didn’t fill any one role specifically but was great at all she did. Thus, she was dubbed the ‘Band Manager.’ She was able to inspire and motivate.
Wendy, you mentioned that “Identifying those ‘go-to’ people in your life helps you recognize your own strengths and weaknesses and those of your closest network of people.” This was true for me and your blog was an engaging, as I selected various people suitable in my own life, to play each role. I can think of only one more role in my Board of Directors that I would instate:
Confidante – This is the person whom we can discuss our biggest fears with, and know they will not mock, but will encourage and support us, every step of the way.