Who do you turn to for a view, for advice, or for candid feedback?
As leaders rise in many organizations, the busyness of the role and the insular nature of avoiding those with self-interest shrinks the number of people in their inner circle of trust. Leaders at the top of an organization are notorious for seeking loads of information from many sources, but for trusting only a few key people to help them think through difficult issues and problems.
By speaking candidly and openly with only a small handful of colleagues, lieutenants, and mentors, leaders rob themselves of much-needed perspectives and wisdom when making critical decisions and setting strategy.
To get ever smarter, they must expand this circle to include more people with wisdom, experience, and savvy. Over time, a few of those with the insight to prove themselves valuable need to become a part of an expanding circle of influence.
Leaders who can count those within their inner circle on one hand deprive themselves of the diverse perspectives needed to make quality decisions. If two heads are better than one, then 10 heads are a game changer.
The idea of creating a personal Board of Directors is a popular metaphor for thinking about the challenge of expanding the number of voices leaders invite into their critical conversations. In most cases, letting others adopt you by serving as a mentor only requires asking them. People with great experience are commonly delighted to serve as an additional sounding board and source of perspective if they are asked in the right way.
The key is to let them know how much you trust and admire them and would delight in having them in your inner circle. Few quality people can resist such a request. Of course, the ask must be genuine and the follow-up consistent with the request.
Now, if you end up not including these mentors and advisors in the flow of the most pressing issues you will see them disappear or decline invitations to discuss their experience on a given issue. The ultimate recognition for a mentor is to actively include them in the decision process on pressing issues.
How many close and trusted advisors do you turn to when confronting sticky issues? Expanding your inner circle of influence is essential for making quality decisions. Start today to build a personal Board of Directors that reflects a diverse set of viewpoints, experience, and wisdom. Seek those you would enjoy learning from. You’ll be smarter as a result.
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