📋Notes: A real coaching session (vol. 6)
Hi!
Many of you ask for notes from real coaching sessions so you can understand what executive coaching looks like in practice.
A seasoned operator wants to transition into their next career season as a board member. But they are having a tough time getting their first big opportunity!
With their kind permission I'm sharing summary notes from our coaching session.
Feel free to leave any comments or questions on the post.
Thanks!
Parin
Context
Big Picture Goal: Get a public company board seat in the next 6 to 12 months.
Goal of Session
Goal for This Session: Figure out the best ways to find a board seat opportunity, see what is missing in their current approach and plan the next steps.
How We Will Know We Succeeded (Coachee View):
I will clearly understand the types of boards that fit me.
I will have 2-3 clear ideas for meeting the right people.
I will have a compelling and confident way to talk about my value to a board.
I will feel confident about starting this new search.
Reality Today
Work History: The coachee has spent 25 very successful years leading companies, most recently as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a multi-billion dollar tech company (a private one). They are great at running big teams, handling capital and growth, understanding customers and expanding businesses around the world.
Current Board Experience: While they are a top-notch leader, they do not have much formal board experience. They have been on one advisory board for a smaller, private company - which was helpful - but isn't the same as a public company board. This lack of direct public board experience is a big hurdle.
Who They Know: The coachee knows a lot of people, mostly other leaders in private tech companies. But they don't have many direct connections to people who are already on public company board or to the firms that help recruit board members.
What They've Done So Far: For about six months, the coachee has been telling friends and colleagues they are interested in a board role. This casual approach has not led to any real opportunities yet.
How They Talk About Themselves: The coachee's resume and online profiles show they are great at running operations. But they need to change how they talk about themselves to highlight how they can help a board make big-picture decisions and oversee things, rather than just executing daily operations.
Understanding Board Roles: The coachee knows being on a board takes time and involves important legal duties. However, they need to learn more about the specific rules, legal responsibilities, and the kind of strategic advice expected from public company board members.
Why This Matters Personally: For the coachee, becoming a public board member isn't just about a career move. It's deeply personal because they want to share their many years of experience to help guide future leaders and influence important company decisions on a bigger scale. They truly want to give back to their industry and help companies navigate tough challenges, especially in areas like digital change and growing globally. This role feels like the next natural step in their leadership journey, moving from doing the work to guiding and impacting many companies and the next generation of operating leaders.
Main Obstacles:
The tough situation of needing board experience to get board experience.
Their network needs to grow to include more current board members and governance leaders.
They need to shift their story from "doing the work" to "guiding and overseeing."
The process of getting a board seat is often less structured than getting a regular job.
Options to explore
Meeting the Right People:
Ask current contacts to introduce them to people they know who are on public company boards or involved in company oversight.
Actively look for public companies and industries that fit the coachee's leadership experience (e.g., software companies, b2b tech, growing global companies).
Connect with the top search firms that specialize in finding board members.
Improving Their Professional Story:
Create a clear, short "Board Bio" (1-2 pages) that highlights experience important for a board, like managing risks, planning strategy, overseeing leaders and understanding cashflow/runway/burnrates.
Update their public profile to clearly show their interest in board roles and use common terms related to boards.
Write a strong statement about the unique value they bring to a board.
Gaining More Experience and Knowledge:
Look for chances to join private company boards (especially those owned by investment firms) or formal advisory roles as a way to get more experience.
Learn more about new trends in how companies are run (like environmental, social, and company management (ESG) issues, operationalising AI, cybersecurity, and dealing with shareholders).
Mindset and Approach:
Understand that getting a board seat is a long-term project that needs patience and consistent effort.
Be ready for interviews that focus on their judgment, ability to oversee, and influence on big-picture strategy, not just day-to-day operations.
Think why a specific set of CEOs would want them on their board rather than generally “looking for a board”
What is next?
Coachee's Commitments:
In one week:
Write a first draft of their "Board Bio," focusing on 3-4 key ways they can help a public board and the unique value they bring
Pick 5 specific people from their current network to ask for "information chats" about board experience or for introductions.
Look into 2-3 well-known board training programs or communities and choose one to focus on in the next few months. Veblen is a great example of this.
In three weeks:
Update their LinkedIn profile to clearly show their board goals and unique positioning.
Research and find 3 top search firms that specialize in board members; prepare a short email to introduce themselves to each.
Identify 2-3 public companies whose boards match their experience and interests and look into who is currently on those boards and why
How the Coach Will Help:
Review the "Board Bio" draft and give feedback.
Practice networking conversations and potential board interview questions.
Share useful information on best practices for public company boards
Next Session's Focus:
We will review the coachee's progress, refine their story for board opportunities, and discuss how to best reach out to search firms and current board members.