Most of us think of boards of directors as something reserved for companies, nonprofits, or universities. But over the years, I have found that one of the most important practices in my own leadership journey has been creating boards of directors, trusted circles of people who help me navigate different aspects of my life.
Yes, you read that right. I have more than one board.
I believe each of us needs different kinds of wisdom for the different chapters and challenges in our lives. Just like an organization would not expect one person to bring expertise in finance, strategy, philanthropy, legal, and HR, we should not expect a single mentor or friend to cover every role in our growth.
"No single mentor can be everything you need.
That is why you build a board."
Where This Idea Started
Looking back, I realize this concept was always present in my life. I have long leaned on mentors, friends, and family for guidance, but I never had the language to describe it as a “board of directors.”
In the summer of 2023, I returned as a fellow for the Interfraternity Institute (IFI), an annual institute that brings together campus-based and headquarters professionals to engage in elevated conversations about topics relevant to fraternity and sorority life. During one of those conversations, the idea of having your village surfaced. A good friend who was also a fellow, and who happens to be part of one of my villages, was present. Together we shared with the participants the importance of being part of a village, because the work we do in FSL is challenging and we need our village to provide perspective and help us level set.
A few months later, I was selected to participate in CREST, a leadership program within our Division of Student Affairs. There, the concept was framed more explicitly as building a board of directors. Hearing it reinforced in two very different spaces gave me the vocabulary to describe something I had already been practicing all along. It was not just a nice metaphor. It was a framework I could intentionally use to shape my growth.
Why a Board of Directors?
A board is about intentional community. These are the people you can call when:
You need perspective beyond your own lens.
You are wrestling with a tough decision.
You want accountability, encouragement, or even a gentle push.
For me, a board brings structure to something many of us already do informally. We often seek advice from mentors, colleagues, friends, and family, but putting language around it makes me more deliberate about who I invite into those roles.
Different Boards for Different Facets of Life
Over time, I have realized that no single board can serve every need. Here are a few of the boards I keep:
Professional Board: Leaders in higher education, fraternity and sorority advisors, and mentors who understand the unique challenges of student affairs and organizational leadership. They push me to think strategically about my career and the impact I want to have on campuses.
Personal Growth Board: Friends, peers, and elders who remind me to stay grounded, encourage my spiritual and cultural identity, and remind me that my worth is not tied to productivity.
Family and Legacy Board: Those closest to me, including family members and life partners, who help me make decisions about balance, priorities, and the legacy I want to leave. This board reminds me that professional success means little if it comes at the cost of relationships or health. They help me navigate questions like: How do I protect time for the people who matter most? How do I build a life that reflects my values, not just my ambitions? And how do I ensure the sacrifices I make today lead to a future that honors my family’s story and creates opportunities for the next generation?
Each board looks different. Sometimes it is a handful of people. Other times it is one or two trusted voices.
How to Create Your Own Board
If you are interested in trying this, here are a few steps:
Clarify your needs. What areas of your life do you want guidance in, such as career, wellness, finances, relationships, identity, or creativity?
Identify trusted voices. Think about people who balance support and challenge. You do not just need cheerleaders; you need truth-tellers.
Diversify perspectives. Include people with different experiences, identities, and ways of seeing the world. That diversity is what makes the board powerful.
Be intentional. You do not always need to formally invite someone onto your board, but you should be clear with yourself about the role they play.
Nurture the relationship. Boards only work if you invest back. Gratitude, updates, and reciprocity are part of the process.
A Closing Thought
Leadership can be isolating if we let it. But when we build our own boards, layered, diverse, and purpose-driven, we remind ourselves that we are not meant to figure it all out alone.
The truth is, most of us already have some version of a board. We turn to mentors, friends, family, and colleagues for advice and encouragement all the time. What shifted for me was finally having the language to name it and the intentionality to nurture it.
So, who is on your board of directors? And more importantly, whose board are you serving on?