{"id":7604,"date":"2023-09-20T11:27:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T11:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-felix-global.pantheonsite.io\/?p=7604"},"modified":"2024-12-12T11:57:37","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T11:57:37","slug":"why-networking-isnt-working-unlocking-success-in-board-directorship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/why-networking-isnt-working-unlocking-success-in-board-directorship\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Networking Isn\u2019t Working: Unlocking Success in Board Directorship"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t
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If you\u2019re actively pursuing a position on a corporate board of directors, you\u2019ve likely been inundated with advice on the importance of networking. The conventional wisdom is to connect extensively, attend numerous events, and leverage personal connections to open doors. However, there\u2019s often a critical missing piece in this puzzle \u2013 the need for careful preparation and the right approach. In this article, we\u2019ll explore why networking alone may not be helping you land the corporate board seat of your dreams and provide valuable insights on how to turn the tide.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Networking Misstep<\/h2>\n
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Many aspiring board directors jump headfirst into networking, eager to tap into their industry contacts or seek guidance from seasoned board members. Often, these interactions are characterized by unpreparedness and vague inquiries such as, \u201cI\u2019m looking for a board. Do you have any advice for me?\u201d or \u201cDo you think I have what it takes to be on a board?\u201d Unfortunately, these ill-prepared conversations rarely yield positive outcomes or follow-up opportunities.<\/p>\n

And here\u2019s why: The influential board-level individuals you approach may leave these interactions thinking, \u201c[Insert your name here] is not board-ready; it\u2019s too early; they are just exploring.\u201d While they may acknowledge your accomplishments as an executive, the perceived lack of board experience can deter them from considering you for future board opportunities or referrals. In such cases, you might receive some advice or mentoring, but rarely will they proactively reach out to you about board openings.<\/p>\n

To break free from this cycle, consider the following three rules for transforming your networking endeavors into a successful board directorship journey.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rule 1: Get Board-Ready Before You Network<\/h2>\n
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Before reaching out to your network, invest time in becoming board-ready. Seek professional advice to identify the right boards for you and define your unique value proposition as a board director. Crafting a concise elevator pitch about yourself in this context can be challenging, so collaborate with a board-level coach or advisor who can guide you through this process. \u201cDress for the job you want, not the job you have\u201d is the best advice for how you show up looking board-ready. Dress as if you were going to a board meeting \u2013 treat these interactions like interviews.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rule 2: Prepare Follow-Up Materials<\/h2>\n
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Ensure you have essential materials ready before networking. Develop a comprehensive board bio and an executive resume that highlights your achievements and board-level expertise. Align your LinkedIn profile with your board director aspirations and exude executive presence online and offline. Consistency between your personal brand and the types of boards you aim to join is crucial, so ensure everything is in place before initiating contact.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rule 3: Don\u2019t Ask, Tell<\/h2>\n
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When approaching your network, adopt a proactive stance. Instead of asking vague questions, confidently express your intent: \u201cI am actively pursuing corporate boards.\u201d Then pause once you have described your value proposition to hear your contact\u2019s reaction. Clearly communicate your preferences regarding the types of boards and committees you\u2019re interested in joining. Once you\u2019ve demonstrated your board-readiness and shared your board documents, the likelihood of receiving offers of assistance or introductions to the right contacts will significantly increase.<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Final Note on Professionalism<\/h2>\n
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In your pursuit of corporate board roles, it\u2019s imperative to maintain a very high level of professionalism at all times from the written email outreach to the timing of your response and how you set up the meeting. Avoid asking for favors or placing undue pressure on your network. Let your achievements and board-readiness speak for themselves and remember that the role of a board director and corporate governance demand the utmost discreet professionalism in the approach.<\/p>\n

In conclusion, while networking is undoubtedly a valuable tool in your journey toward a corporate board position, it\u2019s essential to complement it with meticulous preparation, clarity in your intentions, and unwavering professionalism. By adhering to these rules, you\u2019ll be well on your way to transforming networking into a potent strategy for achieving your board directorship goals.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s embark on this journey together! Reach out to us\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0or call us at 1-888-916-6744 to learn more about how Felix can help you take a positive step towards your journey to board work.<\/p>\n

Contact Felix Today<\/a><\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Authored by: Naomi Kent, Managing Director and Advisor, The C-Suite Advisory, Felix Global<\/h2>\n
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Naomi has spent over 22 years with boards of directors and is passionate about preparing the next generation of boardroom leaders through board-readiness programs that include preparation, positioning, and branding.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you\u2019re actively pursuing a position on a corporate board of directors, you\u2019ve likely been inundated with advice on the importance of networking. The conventional wisdom is to connect extensively,...","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4349,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[222],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-featured"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4349"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.felixglobal.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}