Successful Investor / Entrepreneur and M&A practitioner. I also help ambitious people to raise money, get board seats and take companies public.
Why Applying for Board Seats is the Worst Way to Get One Boards don’t hire from job ads. They hire people they already know, like, and trust. So when you see a board seat advertised, one of three things is happening: They’re desperate (unlikely, boards don’t make decisions like that). HR is ticking boxes. Or most likely: a recruiter has put out a honeypot ad. Here’s how that works: you send your CV, the recruiter says, “unfortunately it went to someone else this morning… but there’s an executive role you might like.” They get paid by the company, not you. Your CV just fed their pipeline. Applying for board seats feels productive. But it won’t get you a seat at the table. The strategy we teach at Veblen Directors is simple: create a board seat. → Understand the problems the company faces. → Offer yourself as part of the solution, through knowledge, networks, and governance. → Suggest a board role as the structure for delivering it. That’s how our members land seats without ever applying. I have a free webinar coming up on how to get your first board seat. Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/g-Ezybdn
Completely agree. The idea of positioning yourself as part of the solution rather than an applicant is a total mindset shift most professionals need to hear. 🔥
Great insight on why applying for board seats may not be the best strategy. Building relationships and offering valuable solutions seems to be key. Looking forward to your webinar on getting that first board seat!
That sounds like solid advice for sure Callum. I’d highly recommend attending this webinar if you are looking to join boards in the near future.
Brilliant insight. Boards run on trust and credibility, not applications. Influence is built long before the vacancy appears.
Exactly right board presence is an outcome of credibility, not application. In private equity, we build influence by demonstrating value first, often leading naturally to advisory or governance roles without formal pursuit.
COO, Transformation Leader | Board Member | AI Adoption, Digital Transformation, M&A | Ex-Deloitte, Tata, Capgemini, L&T | Decades in Investing, IT & Business Consulting
1wVery true. In fact, it’s a known fact that most of the high impact hirings are not advertised. Not in job portals. That’s a big chunk of opportunities! Your playbook might give the people the much needed path to venture ahead. Thanks for that.