One of the most overlooked and underutilized elements of a successful board career is recognising early on that you’re going to need champions to succeed. These are not just casual connections; these are the people who advocate for you behind closed doors, the raving fans who will vouch for your capabilities, and the ones who are actively looking out for you when you least expect it. A successful board career doesn’t just hinge on your qualifications or experience—it depends heavily on having these champions in your corner.
Why Champions Matter
In the boardroom world, the most valuable conversations often happen behind the scenes. Your champions are the people who bring your name up in those critical conversations, recommending you for board opportunities, and making valuable introductions. Imagine receiving an email out of the blue, where someone you admire says, “I’d like to introduce you to X, Y, and Z—they’re looking for new board talent, and I think you’d be perfect.” That’s the kind of opportunity champions create, and it’s not something that happens overnight.
Building Champions Takes Time
Many professionals reach a point in their careers where they want to transition into the boardroom. Often, these individuals have been highly successful in their C-suite roles, delivering great results. However, when I ask them, “What does your board director network look like?” the answer is frequently underwhelming. They’ve been so focused on their executive careers that their external networks are thin, especially at the board level.
Establishing champions requires a strategic, long-term investment in your network. It’s not enough to build your reputation within your own organisation; you need to cultivate meaningful relationships externally with key players who can open doors for you. This means putting in the effort year after year to expand and strengthen your business relationships.
Strategies for Identifying and Nurturing Champions
So, what does it take to identify and build these crucial relationships? Here are some core strategies:
- Assess Your Current Network: Begin by evaluating the relationships you currently have. Do you have strong connections with chairs, non-executive directors, and key decision-makers? Who within your network can advocate for you at the board level? Identify the gaps and areas to strengthen.
- Expand Beyond Your Immediate Industry: Champions can come from various backgrounds and industries. Think about your connections with the partners at the big 4 accounting firms, law firms, venture capitalists, private equity firms, and even industry bodies. These individuals often have a direct line to board opportunities, and their recommendations carry significant weight.
- Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: Aim to have 3 to 5 strong champions who know your aspirations and capabilities inside out. These should be people who can speak on your behalf with confidence and are willing to proactively introduce you to opportunities. You want people who are actively advocating for you, not just passive connections.
- Stay in Regular Contact: Building a champion relationship isn’t a one-time effort. It requires regular engagement, communication, and an ongoing effort to keep these relationships warm. Schedule regular check-ins, update your champions on your career goals, and always be clear about the type of board roles you’re targeting.
- Leverage Unadvertised Opportunities: Keep in mind that the vast majority of the board market is unadvertised. You’ll be relying heavily on recommendations, referrals, and introductions to access these roles. Champions play a critical role in this process, as they often have the inside track on board vacancies that never make it to the public domain.
Think About Your Champions Today
If you’re serious about building a successful board portfolio, ask yourself: Who are my champions today? Are they serving me well? And what types of business champions do I need to cultivate to achieve my boardroom ambitions? Building and nurturing these relationships should be an ongoing priority, not an afterthought.
The bottom line is this: a successful board career isn’t just about your qualifications or professional experience. It’s about having the right people advocating for you behind the scenes. Recognising this early on and making the necessary investments in your network will give you a significant advantage in the highly competitive world of board directorships.
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Are you ready to take your board career to the next level? Start identifying your champions and strategically building your network. Are you ready to take your board career to the next level? Start identifying your champions and strategically building your network. Schedule a discussion on how to accelerate your journey to the boardroom: www.calendly.com/kyliehammond
