Unlike the portrayal of lone leaders in movies, real-world CEOs have a team of advisors to rely on during challenging times. With a well-crafted advisory committee, leaders can receive assistance in areas where they may lack expertise and can even test out new strategies to determine their feasibility before implementing them throughout the organisation.
Since it’s common to have areas of knowledge and skill gaps, a diverse group of advisors can serve to bridge these gaps. They not only bring missing pieces of the puzzle to the table, but also provide fresh perspectives and help to interpret complex problems. It’s crucial to proactively seek out both formal and informal contacts that can offer support as you progress in your career. Additionally, as you assume greater responsibilities, it may be necessary to reevaluate the makeup of your advisory committee.
When assembling your advisory committee, consider the following points:
Make Prioritisation a Priority
Recognising and accepting the fact that most leaders can benefit from support is a crucial trait of effective leadership. Although this may be self-evident, in certain environments or workplaces, seeking assistance when facing challenges can be deemed as weakness.
It’s essential to understand the advantages of having seasoned advisors to assist with managerial decision-making, just as it’s valuable to seek out a variety of skillsets and expertise when tackling projects like building a technical team or constructing a house.
When faced with factors that may impede productivity or cause stress, it’s imperative to address these issues and, if necessary, seek outside assistance. Prioritising self-care is paramount when trying to balance the demands of personal and professional life.
Including impartial outsiders like coaches, mental health professionals, and wellness experts on your advisory panel can be an invaluable resource in achieving your objectives. Interestingly, a majority of leaders utilise such resources to boost their skills, viewing it not as a weakness, but rather as a way of enhancing their performance. Similar to professional athletes who employ coaches to elevate their game, the same principle should apply to high-performance leadership in the corporate sector. However, regrettably, the use of coaches, psychologists, or spiritual advisers is still not widely embraced.
Don’t Hesitate to Seek External Assistance
It may appear paradoxical to propose that those in charge of technology teams should also be dispensing technical guidance. Nonetheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that technical advice encompasses more than just technology; it extends to other domains where specialised expertise is necessary.
It’s possible that one of your marketing team members possesses proficiency in consumer trends and can offer insights on how to adjust your business model to accommodate recent developments. Furthermore, you may have access to a finance department team member who can provide guidance on securing funding for your technological ventures and crafting persuasive business proposals.
It’s improbable that your organisation possesses all the technical know-how necessary. The range of external technical expertise available can be quite remarkable. For instance, the engineering teams at Works are immensely experienced and can offer both casual and formal guidance on your IT strategy, not solely during the implementation phase.
External specialists possess extensive knowledge of industry and technological trends, as well as their potential applications. Typically, companies are eager to share their expertise in this area, as it stimulates a favourable environment for all parties concerned. When executed properly, inviting someone to join your advisory team can be the beginning of a mutually advantageous collaboration.
Avoiding the Use of “Yes Men”
Assembling an advisory team involves a few risks, such as the possibility of creating an echo chamber of “yes men” who always concur with your viewpoint and never provide an alternate outlook. Nevertheless, creating an advisory committee can be advantageous, as it allows you to test ideas and tactics in a controlled environment, rapidly identifying any issues or misinterpretations.
To become a proficient leader, it’s crucial to accept constructive criticism and utilise it to improve upon the initial concept. If your advisory team lacks dissension or constructive criticism, it may be worth evaluating how you’re communicating with them. It’s probable that you’ve assembled a team of individuals who concur with your ideas due to a lack of trust or the apprehension that criticism will result in hostility or repercussions.
It’s recommended to bring forth the most difficult challenges you’re encountering to your advisory team, especially those that would benefit from a diversity of perspectives and expertise.
Incorporate Updates as Required
It’s recommended to frequently apprise your advisory team to stay abreast of the most recent technologies and software. As your leadership obstacles may transform, it may be necessary to modify your team correspondingly. For instance, if an organisation aims to address supply chain issues, it may be advantageous to enlist the assistance of supply chain experts.
As a leader, it’s crucial to periodically evaluate and revise your advisory team. If you’ve cultivated proficient time management abilities and feel prepared to undertake a global leadership role, the transition may be arduous as it may entail abandoning previously held convictions or competencies that were acquired through persevering effort.
If you aim to grow your business, it’s advisable to contemplate substituting some of your top advisors with those who possess the essential skill sets. Despite the difficulty of the task, it’s crucial to guarantee that your advisory team doesn’t plateau as a result of familiarity or personal connections.
Creating an Advisory Committee can be a valuable undertaking, both in the near and far future. By incorporating a variety of skills, experiences, and viewpoints, you can evolve into a more resolute leader and enhance your abilities. Devoting time and energy into building a robust network of dependable advisors can be extremely advantageous.
How to establish a leadership advisory group？
