Who’s On Your Personal Board of Directors?

Here are 8 people we should wisely and earnestly reflect on incorporating into our inner circle and personal board of directors in 2022.

January 13, 2022

We’ve heard the adage countless times: "Your network is your net worth."

While it may be true on the surface, the power of our connections can stretch far beyond. If nurtured with time, energy, and intention, authentic relationships become invaluable treasures.

As leaders and positive difference-makers, we have the incredible opportunity to build a future of greater human connection, personal growth, healing and well-being. We should consistently put our inner circle up for quarterly audits and reviews.

As the CEOs and designers of our own lives, we should find ways to incorporate this relationship audit practice. Too often, though, we squander time and energy on people and possessions that no longer serve us.

When we think of elite companies and organizations, they typically have a board of directors and executive committees that play an instrumental role in their overall strategy and direction. But if we’re the CEOs of our own lives, we probably should as well.

Who are the shareholders in your life who challenge you to grow while supporting and advocating for you on both your brightest and darkest days?

Here are eight people we might want to consider incorporating into our inner circle and personal board of directors in 2022:

  1. Books: They’re obviously not a person, but books provide an astronomical return on investment and our own personal development if we consistently read. They give us access to the wisdom of the world, and in the process, allow the mind and imagination to stretch beyond any obvious horizon.

  2. Truth-Teller: The truth-teller understands the truth liberates and sets us free. The truth-teller tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to. Yet his/her delivery of the truth is always done in a manner that is rooted in grace, empowerment and unconditional love.

  3. Mentor: Mentors show us and tell us about the potholes in life, love and career in hopes that we avoid them. Mentors understand nothing in life is of any value unless we can share it with other people.

  4. Storyteller: The storyteller understands the transformative and emotionally resonating power of storytelling. Stories create meaning and allow us to learn from another person's experience. The storyteller creates spaces and teaching moments for you to lean into your vulnerability as you focus on trusting sharing your story more with others.

  5. Connector: Relationships are the currency of life. The connector has mastered the art of relationship building and has cultivated these with time, trust and mastery. The connector understands that relationships are partnerships and aims to create value and win-win situations.

  6. True Believer: A person who professes absolute belief in you and sees greatness within you, even when you don't always see it in yourself.

  7. Thinking Partner: Change requires renewed thinking, doing, learning, unlearning, and relearning. The thinking partner relentlessly solves tomorrow's future problems but lives presently to disrupt the status quo. The thinking partner is consistently focused on dismantling the boxes we put ourselves in and the mental limitations we put on our dreams.

  8. Modern Elder: Coined by author Chip Conley, the term "Modern Elder" is someone who serves and learns, is a mentor and intern, is student and sage, all at the same time. A Modern Elder provides timeless insights, emotional intelligence, leadership and life gems.

Whether brief or long-lasting, our relationships determine who we are today and who we will evolve into tomorrow.

Today is a new day — and a chance to begin making some executive decisions on our board.

One more chance to save 10% on the world's most comfortable, supportive, and sustainable insoles. Make your shoes good for your body.

Fulton insoles have a comfortable cork base that molds to your unique arch as you walk to provide custom support. Discover why these insoles sold out four times in the last few months; what customers are saying:

"Better than custom orthotics and a fraction of the price. Game changing!"

"Made all of my shoes so comfortable, I can walk all day and never had any foot pain."

"My back pain went away the day I started wearing them. Try them, your body will thank you."

Fulton is offering an exclusive discount to our readers this week.