Board Readiness

Get a Seat at the Table

Service on a board can be both meaningful and rewarding. But, finding the right board seat challenges many senior executives. Opportunities are few—and the bar is high.

That’s where Navigate Forward comes in. We help seasoned executives and senior leaders understand the board landscape, evaluate your readiness and market yourself effectively. It’s a collaborative and customized process that positions you for success.

Leverage Your Strengths and Gain New Perspectives

Whether you’re ready to add value beyond your day job or considering an encore career, board service brings numerous benefits for senior leaders. It’s one of the few ways that top executives can grow and develop professionally. Many forward-thinking organizations now encourage board service for their executive leaders.

Benefits of Corporate Board Service

  • Leverage your expertise in a new way
  • Experience different corporate cultures and leadership styles
  • Learn strategies and perspectives from other industries
  • Expand your professional network
  • Develop trusted peer relationships
  • Make meaningful contributions to respected organizations

The Board Readiness service focuses on publicly- and privately-held corporate boards. Within those sectors we help determine which opportunities are right for you.

Board Work Differs from Executive Leadership

Board work requires more than passion or industry experience. Boards value thought leadership more than operational expertise. They expect collaboration and strategic oversight more than hands-on management.

Today’s most in-demand candidates demonstrate both intellectual agility and extreme diplomacy. They can articulate their positions confidently and persuasively—without excessive ego or heavy-handed tactics. These individuals are:

  • Adept at navigating complex issues
  • Well-versed in managing risk
  • Excellent at building relationships

The Board Readiness service helps you pivot to match this new paradigm. Positioning your background and abilities to suit a governance role is key to achieving this new altitude.

What Our Clients Say

Creating the board bio is so different than writing a resume. It’s the most significant benefit I achieved with Navigate Forward.

— EVP, Retail

With a highly personalized approach, we developed a strategy and communicated my experience and value to prospective boards. Within five months, I accepted my first board role, and two months later, my second.

—EVP, Retail

Navigate Forward’s knowledge in tailoring my networking approach and transitioning my management style was key to a broader governance role.

—President, Healthcare

Our Board Readiness consultants guide you at every step with the right level of support, candor and accountability. We work one-on-one with every candidate to show you the way.

Valuable Insights

Go-To-Market Strategy

Tools for Success

You gain valuable insights, a go-to-market strategy, and the tools to succeed. Together, we create strong personal marketing messages, then develop a board bio that captures the unique value you offer a corporate board.

During your search, we help you engage the right audiences, with networking best practices and targeted introductions to the Navigate Forward community. As you secure board interviews, our consultants ensure you’re confident and prepared.

Every aspect of the Board Readiness service is tailored to the distinct rituals and norms of behavior that boards expect.

The Itinerary

Market Intelligence
The work begins with an in-depth review of market realities and opportunities.

Board Readiness Evaluation
We help clarify your interests, expertise and qualifications to find the best market fit.

Increasing Your Readiness
You will learn strategies to close your gap. Then we package and position you for success.

Going to Market
You will have what it takes to launch an effective board search campaign.

Featured Content

Five Essentials to Land Your First Corporate Board Seat

October 2, 2020
Corporate board service at a public or private company can be meaningful and rewarding for senior leaders. But, moving from hands-on leadership to an oversight role means leveraging your skills and experience differently. Read Anne Sample's article in CEO World magazine.
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Are You Board Ready? Watch the Club E Virtual Event

July 9, 2020
Navigate Forward’s Anne Sample and Patti O’Leary along with Board Readiness alum and experienced corporate director Shay Wyley share what it takes to land your first corporate board seat in this 45-minute virtual event.
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Fairview’s Karen Grabow on Landing and Contributing in a Board Role

November 4, 2019

Board work is such a rewarding way to keep yourself sharp, use your skills and…

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Embark on Your Board Journey

Board Readiness
Have you held a C-suite position or reported directly to the CEO? *
Have you led a business unit? *
Have you managed a P&L? *
What type of board position are you seeking? *
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