The Beauty of a Board

May 2014 – Do you have a Board of Directors?

No, I’m not talking about a Board of Directors for the organization that delivers a direct deposit to your checking account on the 1st and the 15th. I’m talking about you personally. Do YOU have a Board of Directors?

Allow me to step back and serve up some context for the question…

The other night as I was sitting in a circle of Kingdom-minded leaders whom I have the unbelievable privilege to disciple, I found myself responding to a question about my non-profit ministry Lead With Your Life. In my comments about the mission and organization of this 501c3, I referenced my Board of Directors, describing them first of all as leaders who give focus to the fiduciary responsibilities that attend such an entity. But from there, I started talking about my Board of Directors as leaders who love me, believe in God’s call on my life, and who surround me with wise counsel and never-ending encouragement. They are a gift to me beyond measure.

And then in one of those moments prompted and orchestrated by the Spirit, I stepped away from my prepared gameplan for the night, and popped the question: “What would it be like if each of us had our own Board of Directors?”

Can you imagine being surrounded on a regular basis by a group of people who are both with you and for you? People who convene for the expressed purpose of offering their advice and insights about the agenda of your life and leadership?

The more I think about it, to have a Board of Directors is to make a statement. A bold statement. At the very minimum, you are declaring two things.

First, you are declaring, “I’m going somewhere.” You see, people don’t form a Board of Directors to seek advice about what make and model car to lease or to get input about how to break 80 at the local golf course (though I’m certainly open to suggestions!). People round up a Board of Directors because they want to make something happen. Something significant. Something big.

And second, you are declaring, “I need help.” It’s an admission that you have a limited bank account of wisdom as you seek to discover and discern God’s purposes for your life. You need the perspectives and inputs of others, drawing deeply—as Solomon would advise—on “the wisdom of many counselors”. You need another set of eyes and ears to determine not just ultimate outcomes, but prudent next steps.

So what do you think?

I bet if you set up a couple coffees with a handful of friends and pitched them this idea, you’d have your Board of Directors up and running in no time.

And more importantly, you’d be reaping the benefits and blessings.