By Guest commentary Monday, December 8th, 2025

By Dennis M. Baker

In business, we accept that every company needs a board of directors. A CEO who operates without one would be seen as reckless. Yet in our personal and professional lives, most of us do exactly that — we try to navigate career, relationships, money, and purpose without the steadying counsel of a trusted board.

I wrote Building Your Board of Directors for Life (published by Post Hill Press/Simon & Schuster) because I realized that mentorship is often misunderstood. The advice “find a mentor” is thrown around in every leadership workshop, but rarely does anyone explain what that really means or how to make it work. Real mentorship isn’t a coffee meeting or a LinkedIn connection. It’s a deliberate structure — a diverse, values-aligned network of advisors who care about your growth and hold you accountable.

Over decades in media, nonprofit, and tech — raising millions for causes, building companies, and working with everyone from Olympic athletes to entrepreneurs — I learned that success is rarely a solo act. Behind every decisive moment in my career was a conversation with someone on my personal board: a bank CEO who taught me fiscal discipline, a university dean who sharpened my leadership lens, a journalist who reminded me that stories move people more than data ever will.

Those relationships didn’t happen by accident. They were cultivated intentionally, with gratitude, transparency, and reciprocity. That’s the essence of building your own board of directors for life.

FROM TRANSACTIONAL MENTORSHIP TO TRANSFORMATIONAL COUNCIL 

Too often, professionals treat mentorship as a transaction: I’ll ask for advice, get it, and move on. But the best boards function as ecosystems — ongoing, evolving circles of accountability. A good board member knows when to challenge you, when to remind you of your values, and when to say, “You’re playing too small.”

In business, we’d never rely on one advisor for everything. You wouldn’t ask your CFO to handle marketing strategy or your attorney to manage HR. Yet in life, we often rely on a single person — a boss, spouse, or friend — to guide us through every decision. That’s unrealistic and unfair.

A strong personal board includes diversity of perspective. You need:

• A Financial Advisor – someone who understands stewardship and sustainability.
• An Industry Insider – who knows your field and keeps you competitive.
• A Legal or Ethical Voice – who grounds your choices in integrity.
• A Leadership Mentor – often from outside your field, who widens your lens.
• A Community Connector – who reminds you of the power of service and networks.
• A Spiritual or Reflective Guide – who helps you align purpose with action.

When these voices are in balance, you make better, more holistic decisions. You stop reacting and start leading — not just others, but yourself.

THE ACCOUNTABILITY GAP

Most professionals plateau not because they lack talent or drive, but because they lack accountability. A true board doesn’t flatter you; it challenges you. It holds up a mirror and asks the hard questions: Why this decision? What’s the long-term impact? Are you living your stated values?

When we’re left to our own devices, we rationalize mediocrity. We get comfortable. But when trusted advisors are watching — people you admire and don’t want to disappoint — you rise to the standard they see in you.

This structure also works in reverse. As you grow, you’ll find yourself serving on someone else’s board — mentoring younger professionals, advising peers, or guiding a next-generation leader. The cycle reinforces itself. You become not just successful, but significant.

THE ROI OF MENTORSHIP 

In business terms, a personal board provides a remarkable return on investment. It minimizes risk, accelerates decision-making, and increases long-term value. Companies spend billions hiring consultants to do exactly that. You can achieve a similar outcome in your life — at the cost of humility and time.

Mentorship isn’t charity; it’s strategy. Studies show that people with strong mentor networks earn higher incomes, have greater career satisfaction, and are more resilient during downturns. But the benefits go beyond economics. A board helps you stay human in a world obsessed with metrics. It keeps you connected to values, relationships, and legacy — the things no quarterly report can capture.

HOW TO START

Building your board starts with intention, not invitation. Ask yourself: Where am I strong? Where am I blind? Identify the areas where counsel could change the trajectory of your decisions. Then, seek people who embody those strengths — not necessarily the most powerful people you know, but the most grounded, consistent, and wise.

Be clear about what you’re asking for. Don’t say, “Can you be my mentor?” Say, “I deeply respect your judgment in this area. Would you be open to being a sounding board as I navigate this next phase?” People respond to authenticity, not formality.

And finally, give back. A board is a two-way relationship. Be the kind of person who adds value to others’ journeys. Leadership, after all, is service — not position.

CONCLUSION

In Proverbs 15:22, it says, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” That wisdom is as relevant in today’s boardrooms as it was in ancient times. The future of leadership will belong not to the lone visionary, but to those who know how to build and sustain networks of trust.

Your life deserves the same governance, guidance, and accountability as any Fortune 500 company. Don’t just lead your business — lead your life — with a board that helps you make decisions worthy of your potential and your purpose.

Dennis Baker is an author based in Santa Barbara who recently released his latest work, “Your Board of Directors for Life.”