Your Name Comes Up. What Happens Next? — Anouk Pappers
When a board seat opens, the first question the remaining board members ask each other is, “Who do we know?”
I discussed this recently with Joe Ayoub and Raza Shaikh on the On Boards podcast. We talked about what it takes to position yourself for a board role, and why having the right experience is only part of the picture.
Your name needs to come to mind. The person who mentions you needs to be able to explain what you could contribute. And they need to feel confident putting you forward.
That last point matters more than many realize.
A recommendation involves trust. When someone suggests you for a board seat, they are putting their own reputation behind that suggestion. They need more than your credentials. They need a sense of who you are, how you think and what you would bring to the board.
That kind of confidence is not built when a board seat comes up. It develops through relationships over time, through conversations, shared experiences and the way you engage with people.
I have seen how staying in touch with someone over the years can lead to a board opportunity when the timing is right. The relationship may have started long before either person knew there would be a role to discuss. When the opportunity came along, the connection was already there.
This is why networking for a board seat cannot be reduced to sending your bio to a search consultant or collecting contacts at events. People need opportunities to get to know you, and you need to give them a reason to stay connected.
Your story plays a part in that process. It helps people understand what you bring to the table and gives them language they can use when talking about you to someone else.
Your online presence should reinforce that understanding.
When someone considers recommending you, they may look you up. Does your LinkedIn profile reflect the contribution you want to make next? Can they find an article, interview or video that gives them a sense of how you think and communicate? Is there evidence to support the story you are telling?
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AI is already changing how people discover and interpret professional information. We do not yet know exactly how these tools will shape board searches, but your digital footprint is already part of what others can find about you.
That does not mean you need to publish constantly or try to anticipate every change in technology. What you share should reflect your experience and perspective. It should help people understand you, not simply give them more material to scroll through.
And an online presence cannot build a relationship on its own. That still takes personal contact, genuine interest and time.
These things matter once you are in the boardroom. Directors need to build trust with one another, challenge assumptions and think carefully about the implications of their decisions.
So while last month I asked what you want to be remembered for, this month I would take the question a step further.
When your name comes up in a conversation about a board opportunity, will people know what you could contribute? And will they know you well enough to recommend you?
Listen to the On Boards podcast episode here
A keynote speaker and brand anthropologist who has been storytelling for brands since 2002, Anouk Pappers has interviewed over 900 CEOs, CMOs, and business owners and published 15 books. Anouk’s primary focus is on working with leaders to define their brand and pinpoint their professional narrative. Through her company, Signitt, Anouk supports organizations and executives in aligning their messaging and online presence with their personal and organizational brand, positioning them for growth, board opportunities, client acquisition, investor relations, and career advancement.
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