‘Personal Board of Directors’ A CTP Speaker Series with Paul Alexander, CMO, BU Questrom School of Business

As part of the CTP Speaker Series, Paul Alexander recently held a powerful session at the agency. The Chief Marketing Officer for Boston University’s Questrom School of Business, he talked about the importance of creating a “Personal Board of Directors,” a group of individuals cultivated to fill different but important roles in helping someone through life and career.

Alexander’s deep experience with the concept has supported him through roles at high-profile organizations, including Procter & Gamble, Campbell Soup, Liberty Mutual, Money Magazine, and BU, where he now is responsible for marketing and communications in support of the school’s strategic goals. 

So who’s on this board of directors and how can they help you?

Technical Role — An individual who will help you build your skills to a level of functional mastery. 

Ethical Role — An individual who provides insight and guidance on issues of values, conflicts of interests, rights and responsibilities. 

Advocate — A boss, mentor or peer who consistently champions you and your work in public and private forums. 

Role Model — A person who models well-thought-out strategies consistent with success and career advancement. 

Coach — An individual who offers concrete suggestions, brainstorming and role-playing on behaviors, skills and approaches.

Political Decoder — Someone with whom you can exchange insights and form support networks, keeping in mind institutional roadmaps for success and failure. 

Sounding Board — A person who listens openly to your feelings and dilemmas without placing judgment or breaching confidences. 

Personal and/or Spiritual Advisor —Someone with whom you can share personal experiences, insights or ask for advice on a variety of issues, including work/life balance, professional satisfaction and  personal needs.