How to write your board bio. A workbook

A workbook

How to write your

board bio.

“

theBoardlist has helped more than a thousand candidates prepare for their first, or next, board role. Having seen at least that many board bios, we have developed a methodology for how to write a

compelling one. And, we figured it was time we shared those learnings with you. It’s a great way to start if you are exploring the

possibility of joining a board and a great way to brush up a bio you’ve been using for awhile.

Shannon Gordon, CEO, theBoardlist

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Table of contents.

Getting started

The building blocks

Putting it all together

Getting started.

A board bio is not a repurposed executive bio or resume.

It is a clear articulation of your unique value proposition for boards, substantiated with your career experiences, accomplishments and skills.

In other words, the board bio needs to highlight the value you’ll bring to the company as a board member.

A board bio: defined.

❏ Career Highlights

❏ Board experience and/ or exposure

❏ Professional passion

❏ Company needs

❏ Current role

❏ Education

A few things you’ll need.

It can take 12-18 months from first interview to

placement

Patience

95% of board seats are filled via referral.

Make sure your network is empowered with the information they need to

help you find your first board seat.

A strong network

You don’t have to be a CEO or CFO to join a board.

However, you do need to have some expertise that

the board in question needs. Ideally, you’ve established yourself as an

industry leader on that topic.

A superpower

The first thing a board is likely to do when they learn

about you is look you up online. Make sure you are happy with what they will find.

● Invest in professional headshots

● Establish yourself as a leader in your industry - write thought pieces on LinkedIn, use Twitter for your

professional commentary

● Highlight the experiences that you feel are most relevant to your board search in your LinkedIn profile

● Clean up your connections. Best to keep it to people you truly know as they can (and will!) be used as back channel references

Your personal brand.

Your performance as a board director will become a part of your professional

reputation so it’s important to ensure you have the time and commitment to excel in your role. Many of our candidates tell us they want the opportunity to leverage their expertise to make impact, desire professional development, or want to extend their network.

What motivates you to join a board?

Your motivation.

Many people default their search to public company boards. In fact, there are many types of boards that can offer exciting opportunities to learn and contribute. Which type of board are you best qualified for and interested in?

❏ Public company

❏ Private company

❏ Non-profit

❏ Advisory board

Why?

Type of board.

The building blocks.

You are most likely to do your best work and feel most fulfilled when you are working on something you are passionate about.

What inspires you?

Your professional

passion.

We all develop areas of expertise throughout our careers. We define expertise as an area where you’d be considered among the top 5% of your peers.

What are you an expert at?

Your skills.

Consider topics that you think companies are likely discussing in their boardrooms.

While each industry and company is unique, many boards face any or all of the following issues: disruption from emerging technologies, M&A, IPO, global

expansion, digital transformation, hyper-growth or scaling a business, cyber security, just to name a few.

When you think about boards you might be interested in, what do you imagine are the topics they are grappling with in the boardroom?

Company needs.

What you’re passionate about

Expertise companies need Your areas of

expertise

Your value proposition

Defining your value proposition.

Finding your first board opportunity is all about fit.

The ideal opportunity is where your skills and professional passion match up with a company’s needs. This will ensure that your contributions are valued and you are able to make impact.

You’ll want to build your board bio with your

In a sentence or two, describe your unique value proposition for the boards you are interested in. General descriptions can be tempting for fear of closing doors. But, you are looking for a statement that helps you stand out for the right opportunity.

So, be specific.

Your unique value

proposition.

Identify the 3-5 career experiences that support your unique value proposition. Be sure to include metrics where possible (e.g., size of P&L, size of team, growth

achieved).

Career highlights.

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Now you’ll want to create a list of your skills and credentials for serving on a board.

In developing this list, focus on the areas where you’d rank in the top 5% of your peers. Identify any areas where you would be considered a thought leader in your industry.

Credentials & skills.

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Putting it all together.

1. Unique value proposition

2. Current title and scope of role. Be sure to mention who you report into (their role) and whether your role has any interface with the board.

3. Career highlights 4. Credentials & skills 5. Education

An example.

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5.

Unique value proposition

Your board bio.

Current title and scope of role

Career highlights

Credentials &

relevant skills

Now that your board bio is complete, don’t forget to add it to your theBoardlist profile!

Be sure to complete all the fields in your profile to ensure we have the information we need to match you with boards looking for your expertise.

Thank you.