The competition for board roles has never been more intense. With more professionals vying for a seat at the table, a half-hearted or misaligned board search strategy simply won’t cut it. If your efforts in the past year haven’t yielded results, it’s time to take a hard look at your approach. Here are three critical signs that your board search strategy is off track—and practical steps to get it back on course.
1. You Applied for Numerous Advertised Roles Without Securing a Single Meeting
If you applied for 10 or more advertised board roles last year and didn’t land a single meeting, it’s a glaring red flag. The reality is that advertised board roles are not where most appointments are made. This approach suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of how the board search market operates.
What might be going wrong?
- Weak Personal Branding: Your board resume and profile may not be articulating your value proposition clearly.
- Lack of Strategic Connections: You may not be reaching the decision-makers behind these roles.
- Misaligned Approach: Applying for roles without tailored preparation signals a lack of genuine interest and research.
How to Fix It:
- Stop relying on advertised roles and focus on building connections within your target organisations.
- Rework your board resume to showcase your unique value. Professional services, such as Board Resume Writing, can help.
- Research boards thoroughly before reaching out to understand their needs and challenges.
2. Your Business Network Didn’t Expand
Relationships are at the heart of board recruitment. If your diary is devoid of meetings with chairs, non-executive directors, search firms, or committee members, your networking strategy is failing. Worse, if you met people but didn’t build rapport or maintain those connections, you’ve missed key opportunities.
A lack of meaningful relationships suggests that you’re not positioning yourself where decisions are made. Networking isn’t just about attending events; it’s about building trust and credibility with the people who can champion your candidacy.
How to Fix It:
- Be Strategic: Identify key players in your industry or target organisations and create a plan to meet them.
- Show Up Consistently: Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences where decision-makers are present.
- Follow Up: Strengthen connections by following up with personalised messages and staying engaged.
3. Your Thought Leadership Didn’t Gain Traction
If your social media presence is stagnant, your articles are not being republished, or your thought leadership is invisible, you’re missing a critical element of board search success. Personal branding and visibility are essential in standing out in a crowded market.
In today’s board search landscape, having a strong public profile shows that you’re informed, relevant, and engaged in governance trends.
How to Fix It:
- Create Value: Publish high-quality content on LinkedIn or other platforms that showcases your expertise.
- Engage with the Media: Aim to be quoted in industry publications or participate in podcasts and panel discussions.
- Be Consistent: A sporadic approach to thought leadership won’t cut through the noise—commit to a regular schedule of activity.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
The board search market is more competitive than ever. Simply applying for roles or dabbling in networking won’t work in today’s environment. You need a robust, targeted strategy that combines:
- Strategic Networking: Building meaningful relationships with key decision-makers.
- Personal Branding: Crafting a compelling board resume and elevating your thought leadership.
- Tailored Approaches: Deep research and personalised outreach for every role you pursue.
The days of B-grade efforts are over. To succeed, you need to play at the highest level, with clarity, focus, and a commitment to excellence.
Take the Next Step
Don’t let an ineffective strategy hold you back. If you recognise any of these signs in your board search, it’s time to recalibrate. Start by enhancing your personal branding, building strategic networks, and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your field.
Ready to elevate your board search? Explore Kylie Hammond’s Board Resume Writing Services and take the first step toward securing your next board role.
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