Enhance your chances of getting on a board with a positive mindset
Rejection is common during the process of getting on a board of directors, especially when seeking your first board position, a paid board role or a corporate board seat. Building a board portfolio takes time, patience, and perseverance. Success is not solely determined by your personal networks, skills, and experience. It is essential to maintain a positive mindset and cultivate self-assurance.
Tips for developing and sustaining confidence during the process of getting on a board
1- Re-evaluate your goals and targets to determine if they are achievable
Put yourself in the selection panel’s role and ask whether you would consider yourself for the board roles you seek. If you can not unconditionally answer yes, you may not be pursuing achievable board goals for the moment anyway. Reflect on why you want to get on a board of directors, plus why these organization and board roles. If your board aspirations are unrealistic, now is the time to re-evaluate your goals and explore different board opportunities.
2 – Be clear about your experience, skills, and level of expertise
Scrutinize your board-level and executive experience, as well as your skills, knowledge, and areas of expertise. Research and compile a list of industries and organizations that could benefit from your unique skills and experience. Understand your Board Value Proposition and be able to articulate it in a board pitch and board bio. Include the five key qualities boards seek in candidates.
If you identify any gaps or deficiencies in your skills, experience or knowledge, consider ways to address them, such as taking governance or financial literacy courses, gaining industry experience, improving your IT skills and gaining knowledge in digital transformation. Also, consider shifting your focus towards board of directors positions that don’t require those specific skills and knowledge. It may be that serving on a committee or board committee may be a suitable option for you at this point.
3 – Establish reasonable time expectations
In the past, it was acceptable for the board chair to personally reach out to someone they knew with an offer of a seat on their board. Nowadays, there is a more formal process for selecting new independent board directors. This process can be lengthy, often lasting several months and involving multiple interviews. It is recommended to allow around 12 months to get a board seat, and be prepared for your first board appointment to take even longer. You can potentially get a board seat sooner by taking the appropriate steps and following a planned strategy.
4 – Anticipate and prepare for rejection
Even experienced board directors are rejected for board roles. Rejection is difficult, especially when applying for a board seat. It is even more frustrating if you have the required experience and skills and do not make it through to the interview stage. It can be tough to accept and can leave you feeling discouraged.
In Seth Godin’s Book: The Dip, he explains that with any worthwhile venture, there will be a time of struggle, which he calls The Dip. This is the stage where most give up. To succeed, you should expect The Dip before you are in it and confront it when it occurs.
Understanding the process of handling rejection can make a huge difference in mindset, motivation and your chances of getting on a board. Reflecting on the experience, analyzing what went wrong, and considering ways to improve can provide the opportunity to grow, learn and pivot.
Rather than feeling defeated and giving up, take a moment to reflect and turn things around by asking yourself:
- What lessons can be derived from this experience?
- What adjustments should I make?
- How can my future performance be enhanced?
Tell yourself that rejection and self-reflection can contribute to the development of resilience. They are a type of resilience that gets results.
5 – Alway request feedback, even when it is difficult to hear
No matter where you are in the process of getting on a board, or what stage you encountered rejection, I recommend you seek feedback.
If you are not getting interviews for board director roles… find out why. Ask the recruiter or someone from the selection panel for feedback on your application. Even better, ask them what made the difference between your application and those board candidates that made the shortlist. Consider finding a mentor who can give you an independent perspective on your board pitch, board resume, plus short-term and long-term aspirations of getting on a board.
If you were not offered the board seat after attending a board interview, ask for feedback. It is safe to assume that your board resume and application were high-calibre since you made it to the interview stage. So, seek honest feedback from the recruiter and interview panel members on your interview performance. Find out what you can improve for future interviews. Also, try to find out why you were considered for the board role. Ask what it was that attracted them to your application. You can build on it when trying to secure future board seats.
Maintain motivation by adopting a positive mindset
When pursuing a board seat, it is vital to maintain a positive mindset to stay motivated. For most of us, it is difficult to stay positive and focused when faced with rejection and disappointment from not being chosen for board director roles that you strongly believe you are suitable for.
The characteristics of a positive mindset are as follows:
Optimism is defined as a mindset that involves making efforts and taking risks rather than assuming that one’s efforts will not be rewarded.
Acceptance is the process of acknowledging that outcomes may not always align with expectations but utilizing these experiences as opportunities for personal growth and learning.
Resilience is the ability to recover from adversity, disappointment, and failure rather than giving up.
As a prospective board director, you should acknowledge that you can’t build resilient teams without resilient leaders. Resilience is a leadership skill that you need to develop.
Some ways to stay positive and motivated to get on a board include:
- Stay optimistic and work towards your goals, even if you face rejection.
- Visualize success, stay persistent, and continue to improve your skills and experience.
- Avoid becoming negative or disgruntled, as it can impact your language and attitude.
- Have faith in yourself and trust that the right board opportunity will come your way.
Conclusion
Getting on a board of directors is challenging, particularly if it is your first independent director appointment or a corporate board seat you seek. Building a board portfolio is equally tricky, even for experienced board directors. Rejection can lead to a loss of confidence and motivation. However, following these five tips can help you refocus your mindset and goals to maximize the right board opportunities. Stay optimistic, seek feedback, stay motivated, network, and improve your skills and experience. With the right mindset, you can secure a board seat and many more.
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About the Author
David Schwarz is CEO & Founder of Board Appointments. He has over a decade of experience in putting people on boards as an international headhunter and recruiter. He has interviewed hundreds of directors and placed hundreds into some of the most significant public, private and NFP director roles in the world.
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