A Personal Board of Directors?

Recently in the New York Times “Shifting Careers” Blog a post entitled “A Board of Advisors - for Your Life” appeared. It was interesting to see the comments section - where I added my 2 cents as well. The vast majority take a cynical view of this. I tend to agree with them, to a point.

Despite my hope to produce a few useful ideas on this blog for your career, it is sad that relationships are so riddled with “systems.” I suppose many carer builders will find the concept of a personal Board exciting and inspiring. If that works for you then fine, I suppose. But the article really described good friendships. I’m sure some would counter that keeping in regular touch with old mentors, business partners etc goes beyond friendship because you wouldn’t choose to go to the movies with these folks. Really though I would offer that this is taking a more mature view of friendship. There are many sorts of friendship. An old teacher of mine can be a friend, though his age and experience go far beyond mine. I can be a friend to a younger person just starting out. As long as we both enjoy the relationship and grow from it, that’s a friendship.

If a few of my friends want to say I am on their Board of Directors, fine by me. But really, I’m just doing what any friend would. And he has something in his day-timer reminding him to call me every month or so. Sounds a bit cold - but it’s better contact than many friends have.

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