There is a dated concept in career development: the search for “The Mentor.”
We imagine this mythical figure—usually an executive with graying hair and infinite wisdom—who takes us under their wing, meets us for coffee every Tuesday, and guides us benevolently to the C-suite.
In reality, this rarely happens. High-performers are busy. They don’t have time for weekly coffees. And frankly, asking a stranger “Will you be my mentor?” is awkward and usually ineffective.
But successful CEOs don’t rely on one mentor; they rely on a Board of Directors. They have a group of specialists, each responsible for a different area of governance.
Thanks to the rise of expert booking platforms (like Intro, Clarity, or ADPList), you no longer need to hope for a lucky networking encounter to build your own board. You can assemble a “Personal Board of Advisors” on demand.
How to Manage Your Board on a Budget
You might be thinking, “I can’t afford to keep four experts on retainer.” You don’t have to.
The beauty of the “Gig Expert” model is that it is flexible. You are not asking for a marriage; you are asking for a 30-minute date.
- The Quarterly check-in: You can maintain a relationship with a high-level Strategist by booking them just four times a year. If their rate is $200/hr, that is an $800 annual investment in your career strategy—less than the cost of most generic conferences.
- The “Paper Trail”: The key to turning a transactional booking into a relationship is the follow-up. If you book a Strategist in January, send them an update in March (for free) saying: “I took the advice you gave me in our session, and here are the results.”
When you eventually book them again in April, you aren’t a stranger anymore. You are a serious student who executes.
Stop Waiting to Be Chosen
The old mentorship model relied on someone “picking” you. It was passive.
The “Personal Board” model, powered by 1:1 expert platforms, is active. You pick the experts. You set the agenda. You drive the relationship.
Stop looking for a guru on a mountain top. Build your board, seat by seat, and run your career like the business it is.
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