Behind every respected executive, visionary entrepreneur, and industry trailblazer is a network of trusted advisors - a Personal Board of Directors. This board is not formal or assigned; it is shaped intentionally over time. It includes mentors who expand your perspective, truth-tellers who hold you accountable, champions who clear the path ahead, and confidants who keep you grounded. Insights from It’s Personal Stories affirm a universal truth: no one advances alone. The most admired leaders design support systems that strengthen their judgment, accelerate their growth, and steady them through uncertainty.

1. Truth-Tellers Who Give You Honest Feedback

Every leader needs people who will speak with candor, especially when the message is difficult to hear. Aik Hong Tan, Chief Investment Officer of Hotel Equities, notes that growth begins with those willing to offer unfiltered truth: “People who love you are the ones who tell you the truth.” These advisors eliminate blind spots, challenge assumptions, and help leaders understand the “story behind the stand” before reacting. Their honesty sharpens decision-making and reinforces accountability - cornerstones of effective leadership.

2. Mentors Who Illuminate Your Potential

A Personal Board includes individuals who recognize your strengths long before you do. Abby Murtagh, Area VP & Managing Director at Hilton, describes the power of mentors who encouraged her. These mentors see possibilities, not limitation. They help leaders clarify values, define aspirations, and step into opportunities they might otherwise overlook. Their guidance provides courage during transition and clarity during moments of uncertainty.

3. Champions Who Advocate When You’re Not in the Room

Champions differ from mentors. They actively create opportunities. Leslie Hale, President & CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust, credits sponsorship as essential to her advancement: mentors “open doors that appear to be locked.” She emphasizes that champions invest in people who listen, act, and follow through. Champions don’t simply encourage; they elevate. They speak your name in decision-making spaces, broaden visibility, and ensure your work is recognized. Their advocacy often becomes the turning point in a leader’s trajectory.

4. Peers Who Walk Beside You Through the Journey

Leadership can feel isolating, yet strong peer relationships provide invaluable grounding. Monika Nerger, Former Global CIO of Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, reflects on the power of shared experience: “Different perspectives help you see what you may have missed.” Peers offer relatability without hierarchy. They normalize challenges, share lessons learned, and expand your thinking in ways mentors and supervisors cannot. This circle becomes a trusted sounding board that brings balance, insight, and encouragement throughout the leadership journey.

5. Coaches Who Strengthen Confidence, Communication, and Presence

Coaches play a vital role in helping leaders refine how they show up. Amanda Hite, President of STR, highlights the importance of coaches who deliver honest, actionable guidance: “Make sure it’s a coach that will tell you the things you don’t necessarily want to hear.” Whether improving executive presence, navigating conflict, or articulating strengths, coaches accelerate growth by pairing skill-building with self-awareness. Their insights help leaders communicate with clarity, influence effectively, and model steadiness in critical moments.

6. Self-Reflection That Brings Clarity, Courage, and Renewal

A strong Personal Board also supports a leader’s ability to look inward with honesty and grace. Andrea Belfanti, CEO of ISHC, reminds us that reflection is essential for sustained growth: “You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time.” Self-reflection shifts leaders from self-criticism to learning, helping them understand patterns, reframe challenges, and recalibrate their next steps with intention. By cultivating space to pause, through journaling, trusted conversations, or quiet moments of stillness, leaders strengthen their judgment and resilience. Self-reflection becomes the internal compass that steadies them through complexity and change.

Designing Your Board With Intention

A Personal Board of Directors does not assemble itself. Effective leaders cultivate diversity of perspective, seeking people who will challenge, champion, guide, and steady them. As careers evolve, so does the composition of the board. New voices join, others step back, and the collective wisdom grows richer over time.

Your Personal Board Is Your Competitive Advantage

If one lesson echoes consistently throughout hundreds of leadership journeys, it is this: success is never solitary. A Personal Board of Directors offers clarity amid complexity, courage during uncertainty, and honesty when it matters most. Whether you're an emerging leader or a seasoned executive, the essential question remains: Who belongs on your Personal Board—and are you ready to let them help you rise?