At Women on Boards, we believe there is a Board role out there for everyone. But how do you know if a Board career is for you, and how do you go about choosing the right one? And once you become a NED, what can you do to stay ahead of the game and remain relevant?
To help steer you in the right direction, Women on Boards has a wealth of resources and articles with useful steps and advice on everything from choosing the right Board and kick-starting your Board journey to how to make the most of mentoring and handy interview tips.
Smart moves: Why being a director is good for your career
Moving into a Board role may not only enhance your personal growth and development, but can also be a boost for your career.
In this article, we outline seven reasons why being a director is good for your career - from giving you the opportunity to build career and leadership skills to understanding the challenges of running an organisation.
“From the perspective of your "boss", the value to the organisation of letting you take on a board role alongside your executive responsibilities is that it will build your skills, strategic understanding and industry networks. You will gain in confidence as well as experience and therefore be more likely to put your hand up for new challenges.”
Read more HERE.
What makes a good Board director?
In the last decade, the role of a non-executive director (NED) has fundamentally evolved. As Women on Boards UK CEO Fiona Hathorn explains in this article where Board success used to be defined by what you knew, it’s how you work that’s becoming equally important.
Fiona goes on to explain the five characteristics good Board members need - that you won’t find on the job specs. Her first tip? Be motivated.
“If you’re in it for the money, you’re barking up the wrong tree. Becoming a non-executive director is not the path to earning big bucks, especially in the beginning of your board career when the opportunities are often unpaid or lower paid… It’s therefore crucial that you have a genuine interest in the company you’re serving. You need to be activelyengaged and ask “what can I contribute?” over “what’s in it for me?”
Read more of Fiona’s tips HERE.
How to kick-start your board journey
Many people can be initially apprehensive about starting their board journey because they don’t realise their full potential and what they can bring to a board and don’t know where to start.
So where DO you start on your board journey, and how do you go about identifying and applying for board roles? The first step is to have faith in yourself,says Women on Boards Chair, Ruth Medd in this article, 7 Steps to Kickstart your Board Journey.
“We often hear people ask ‘Do I have the experience?’ or ‘What do I have to offer a board…But it's very important to understand that directorship is a viable option for you. There are many boards and committees in Australia other than the highly visible listed companies like BHP or Commonwealth Bank.”
Read more HERE
Board interview dos and don’ts
While a great CV will get your foot in the interview door, the clincher to your success will be your ability to interview well for the position - and in 2022 that's most likely to be a virtual interview. A bit of preparation before the interview will go a long way.
In this article, Women on Boards COO, Nicole Donegan, outlines Seven Tips to Nail Your Board Interview.
From knowing what the ad says and practising your pitch to doing your research about the organisation, Nicole shares valuable insights on doing your homework and making sure you’re prepared.
“It’s up to you to do some digging about the organisation before the interview,” writes Nicole. “Organisations don’t often let you know the questions in advance, but you can expect that they will be strategic.”
Get more of Nicole’s tips HERE
Why mentoring matters
Mentoring is probably the most powerful developmental process people can experience. And when it works, it develops two for the price of one. In mentoring, the relationship between mentor and mentee is all-important.
Mentors are a confidential, independent sounding board to provide support and guidance, allowing you to put issues into perspective and consider various possibilities.
In this article, Ten Tips to Make the Most of your Mentoring WOB My Mentor Director Ruth Jonesand WOB Director and experienced mentor, Cheryl Hayman, share their top 10 tips on how to make the relationship work and why mentoring matters and how mentees and mentors can get the most out of it.
Read more about Women on Boards Mentoring Program HERE.
For more useful articles and resources head to the following pages:
Also check out WOB’s Events & Workshop Calendar HERE.