Create a Personal Advisory Board

Two important steps to being a leader others will follow are developing more self-awareness and developing a solid strategy for your professional development and career. One of the best ways to do this is to actively seek input from mentors and advisors.

Your boss, your spouse, friends, or other family members can all play this role, but I caution against relying  solely on them to provide guidance.  They all likely have strong opinions about what you should and shouldn’t do, and most likely, they also have some kind of “skin in your game” – in other words, your decisions and actions impact them in some way. Instead, create your own “advisory board” so you can get a variety of perspectives from people who aren’t directly affected by your choices.

This was a major mistake I made in my career! I relied on my bosses to guide me and define my leadership. I allowed my direct colleagues, friends’ and family’s experiences define my perceptions of what was and wasn’t possible. I focused too much of my energy on getting stuff done. I took on everything that I was asked to do, thinking that would help me advance.

What I didn’t do was take the time to learn from people outside my circle, my organization, or my industry. I didn’t proactively evaluate what I needed to do, or who I needed to be to take my leadership to the next level. I didn’t cultivate a big enough or diverse enough network to expand my perception of who I am, what I’m capable of, and the impact my strengths and skills can have. Instead of helping me advance, this held me back.

This advice isn’t  just for early careerists – we need to gain perspective throughout our careers. And it’s not just limited to when you want to get a new job, or even to your professional life only. Tap into your advisory board to help you be your best version of you, to make the best decisions for you, and for support throughout your life and career to enable you to be the leader others want to follow. How This Connects to the Five Intelligences™

Building a personal advisory board is a powerful expression of Execution-Intelligence. When you build a personal advisory board, you act with strategy and foresight instead of relying only on immediate influences. You seek diverse perspectives, expand your options, and make intentional choices. Others benefit because your decisions are clearer, more grounded, and less reactive—giving your team confidence in your direction. And just like any good strategy, it doesn’t stand alone:

• Self-Intelligence: When you know your own blind spots and growth edges, you can choose advisors who challenge and stretch you. You gain clarity about your values and leadership path. Those around you experience you as  a leader who is more self-aware, humble, and open to learning.

• Relational-Intelligence: When you cultivate a cadre of trusted advisors, you practice building authentic, reciprocal relationships. This helps you grow beyond your immediate circle and encourages others to value relationships not just for transactions, but for learning and mutual growth.

• Communication-Intelligence: When you engage your advisory board, you refine your ability to ask thoughtful questions, explore multiple perspectives, listen deeply, and integrate feedback. Others experience a leader who is more approachable and empathic, who models curiosity, and who invites dialogue rather than pretending to have all the answers.

• Neuro-Intelligence: When you share ideas with and seek advice from your advisory board, you reduce stress and decision fatigue. You gain more access to calm, full-spectrum thinking, and others feel the ripple effect of your more grounded, less reactive presence.
  

Together, the Five Intelligences™ ensure that your advisory board isn’t just a sounding board—it becomes a catalyst for intentional growth, better decisions, and more sustainable leadership.