From Advisory Seats to Boardroom Leadership
Have you ever found yourself excelling in your executive role but wondering what it would take to transition to the boardroom? This question has been at the forefront of my mind throughout my professional journey. For many of us who've spent years immersed in day-to-day operations and strategy, the path to board leadership can feel both exciting and surprisingly uncertain.
The Value of Advisory Work as a Stepping Stone
I've discovered that advisory roles serve as critical training grounds for potential board positions. Through my own experience, these roles have allowed me to:
Develop Strategic Insight: Advisory work doesn't just sharpen your expertise—it transforms how you think. You learn to view challenges holistically and strategically, which is precisely what boards need when guiding organizations through uncertainty and growth.
Build Credibility: Remember that time you helped a leadership team navigate a particularly difficult pivot or expansion? Those high-stakes situations demonstrate your capacity to add value at the highest levels—evidence that becomes invaluable when pursuing board opportunities.
Expand Your Network: The relationships you cultivate as an advisor aren't just professional connections—they're potential pathways to the boardroom. When leaders see your contributions firsthand, they become advocates for your future board roles.
But here's what I've learned the hard way: moving from advisor to board member isn't automatic. What got you here won't necessarily get you there. It requires more than just proven expertiseit demands a deliberate shift in mindset and preparation.
The Importance of Readiness
How do you know if you're truly ready for board service? I've found board readiness is an ongoing journey that includes:
Invest in Education: What specific knowledge gaps do you need to fill? I'm about to participate in How Women Lead's Corporate Board Readiness Workshop, which will help me fully step onto the path of corporate board work. Programs like this that focus on governance fundamentals and fiduciary responsibilities are game-changers. They help bridge the gap between operational execution and strategic oversight, a transition that doesn't happen naturally without intention.
Clarify Your Value: What's your unique contribution? Are you the financial strategist who can guide companies through complex transactions? The tech visionary who sees around corners? Understanding your distinctive value proposition helps you articulate exactly why you belong in the boardroom conversations that matter most.
Align with Your Goals: Which organizations truly resonate with your values and expertise? This question has helped me become more selective and focused. Rather than pursuing any board seat, I've learned to identify opportunities to make a genuine impact while honoring my other commitments.
Balancing Present Commitments with Future Aspirations
Let's be honest—pursuing board roles while managing existing responsibilities isn't easy. For most of us, it's a long-term endeavor that requires balance and strategic thinking.
My approach has included:
Selecting advisory engagements that showcase my strategic leadership abilities—not just my technical expertise
Building meaningful connections within communities dedicated to board placements, rather than generic networking
Remaining open to unexpected opportunities, even when they've pushed me beyond my comfort zone
Although I'm not yet serving in a formal corporate board role, my experience on advisory boards with startups and growth-stage companies has been invaluable preparation. As a How Women Lead Silicon Valley Executive Board member, I've connected with incredible leaders who share this journey—each of us working to align current work with future aspirations.
Taking Concrete Steps Toward Board Readiness
My next focus is on the Corporate Board Readiness Workshop offered by How Women Lead. This comprehensive program is specifically designed to help experienced executives map their path to the boardroom through practical tools, connections, and strategy development.
The workshop promises to address exactly what I need most: translating my advisory and executive experience into board-relevant language, understanding the nuances of corporate governance, and building strategic connections with board influencers. I anticipate finding the structured approach incredibly valuable—something I'll share more about in an upcoming post as I progress through the program.
A Journey Worth Pursuing
What makes the transition from advisory work to boardroom leadership worthwhile? For me, it's about creating impact at a different level—shaping organizational direction and governance in ways that can transform industries and communities.
This path requires intention, preparation, and patience. It's not just about adding credentials to your profile—it's about becoming genuinely ready to contribute at the board level in meaningful ways.
Wherever you are in your journey, I encourage you to take that next deliberate step—whether it's educational, networking, or simply clarifying your unique value proposition. With focused intention, the path to the boardroom is not only achievable—it's a deeply rewarding evolution of your leadership.
What's your next step going to be?