Learners, the time has come to talk about choosing a board of directors. Now, just like we discussed when it was time to choose your three words that represent your brand, and to write your mission statement, your board of directors is not something that you have to share or make public. You could have a little file in your mind with your board of directors, and you've never told these people that they are your board of directors. I don't really think that's the best way to go about that. I think you would get a much more productive board if they knew they were on it. I don't know, it's a crazy notion. But if you just are too shy or you just think it would be super awkward to let people know that they're sitting on your board of directors for your brand, then you don't have to tell them. However, I would urge you to consider actually telling people, issuing them an invitation to be on your board and explain it to them, because they would be more likely to be able to help you if they know what's going on. Plus, it would just be immensely flattering if somebody came to you and said, you know what, I really admire you. And I'd like for you to be somebody I know I can call on in order to get some help with certain projects or life decisions. So there are three things that you need to consider when you're choosing your four board members, and I do recommend four. I think that is enough to give you a wide range of opinions without being too many, which would get kind of cumbersome. So I would recommend choosing at least four people, and they should have these three qualities. Number one, it should be someone that you admire and respect. And it can be that you have personal respect for how they live their lives, or you have admiration for the success they've had. However you define success, whether that's professional success or personal success, but someone whom you admire and respect. People who care deeply about you and want you to succeed, that is a crucial piece. That's the second one, and that's very important. These need to be people who are invested in you as a person and who care about you. And the last one which is also extremely important, is that these need to be people who will be honest with you. You do not want yes people on your board of directors. You don't want people who will not tell you things because they're afraid of hurting your feelings, or because they don't wanna offend you. You need people who care deeply enough about you to be honest. So we've talked before about how honesty and politeness are not always necessarily linked. They don't have to be people who take joy in pointing things out to you to make you miserable. I'm certainly not saying that. But you need people who care enough about you to tell you when you're about to make a mistake, or at least what they perceive as a mistake. If you go to someone and you say, I'm thinking about making this move or taking this job, but I'm not really sure what to do. And they know you so well, and they know that this position would not be a good fit for you. But they aren't willing to speak up because they don't want to offend you. Or maybe the new job would pay you a lot more, but they feel like you wouldn't be a good fit for it. But they don't wanna tell you because they don't want you to later blame them. You really need to have people in your life who care enough about you to be honest with you. So again, when you're choosing your four board members, they should have the following three qualities. Someone whom you respect and admire for whatever reasons, personally, professional success, however you define that. People who care deeply about you and your success, and people who are willing to be honest with you. So let me know what you come up with. And it's up to you, again, if you want to tell people and formally invite them to be a part of your board. Maybe get this board together once a year, take everybody out to lunch or take everybody out to lunch individually. Or it could be kind of fun to invite everybody to a restaurant for your board meeting for your brand once a year and check in. And that also is a great way to hold yourself accountable. If you know you have to make a presentation to your board of directors and say, this is what I've accomplished in the last year. This is what I'm looking towards, working towards in the future. That's a great way to hold yourself accountable and make sure that you have realistic goals that you're working towards. So figure out who your four board members are and report it in the forums and reach out and share. And let me know if you've ever tried this idea before and what you think the pros and cons are. I'd love to hear from you. I hope this was helpful.
