The end of the year often feels like pure downtime, but we see it as a strategic window; a rare time when high-level professionals and current Board Members are more reflective and accessible.

While everyone else is winding down (or watching the cricket!), you have an opportunity to make three highly focused, low effort moves that will put you miles ahead of the competition and guarantee a strong Board career launch in the new year. This isn't about the hustle; it's about strategic preparation so you can hit the ground running when the new year officially begins.

In this episode, I cover three specific, achievable tasks for aspiring Board Members:

1. The Targeted Personal Brand Clean-Up

This is your chance to refine your most critical assets: your Board Resume and LinkedIn profile.

Learn why your Board Resume is your "calling card" and how it should tell your compelling Board story.

I share some tips on how to audit your LinkedIn profile to ensure it aligns perfectly with your Board Resume, removing operational jargon and focusing on strategic, business, and financial achievements — the language of the Boardroom.

2. The Strategic Thank You and Festive Connection

Networking isn't just about what you can get; it's about strengthening existing relationships without asking for anything in return.

Discover how to identify 5-10 key influencers (mentors, current Board Members) and deliver a genuine, personalised thank you or festive greeting.

I discuss the crucial rule: reinforce the relationship, build goodwill, and never mention your search. This builds the invaluable top-of-mind awareness that can lead to future advocacy.

3. Pre-Book Three Conversations with Key Influencers/Trusted Advisors

Ready to break the "don't ask" rule? This final move leverages your trusted circle for critical, candid feedback.

Learn how to structure an easy "ask" by requesting a short meeting in January to get feedback on three key areas:

(1) Your Board goal(s) for next year.

(2) Your Unique Board Value Proposition.

(3) Your updated Board Resume and LinkedIn Profile.

This approach gives influential people a clear, easy way to help you, moving you closer to landing that coveted Board role.

Resources Mentioned:

Episode 128: Board Resume and Personal Brand Assets (for context on the clean-up)

Episodes 111, 113, and 114: Deep dive into crafting a strategic Board Resume.

Board Resume Articles on the Get on Board Australia Website

Want to accelerate your Board career?

Download our free guide: Networking for Board Success

Join the Break into the Boardroom course

Do I have the right skills and experience for a Board?

I'm back for Part 2 of our three-part series to guide you through the vital self-assessment step on your journey to the Boardroom.

The big question: Do I have the right skills and experience to join a Board? The answer is almost certainly yes, but the key is finding the right Board that needs what you offer right now.

In this episode, I help you:

• Define Your Whole Value: Your Unique Board Value Proposition (UBVP) is more than just your professional expertise. I explain why the "whole basket of goods"—your soft skills, lived experience, and unique attributes—is what can truly opens Boardroom doors.
• The Power of Alignment: Learn the crucial steps to calibrate your UBVP with your Board goal. I share how to strategically research your target Board to ensure your skills are precisely what they need, making your candidacy a 'winnable' game.
• The Reality Check: I explain the importance of getting candid feedback from a trusted advisor with Board experience to gain an objective view of your Board readiness.

Actionable Next Steps:

• Set Your Goal: If you haven't yet, listen to Episode 102 to set your Board goal.
• Audit Your Value: Explore Episodes 98 and 103 to clearly define your Unique Board Value Proposition.
• Download the Resource: Access the Board Skills Self-Assessment resource (PDF).

Resources & Opportunities:

• Episode 102 – Break into the Boardroom – Setting a Board Goal
• Episode 98 – The Ingredients for your Unique Board Value Proposition
• Episode 103 - Break into the Boardroom: Understanding your Board Value Proposition
• Board Skills Self-Assessment Resource (PDF)

Want to accelerate your Board journey?

• Break into the Boardroom Course: My online course guides you through a 4-step process taking you from Board hopeful to Board Member. Use the code BOARDREADY at checkout to get $100 off your enrolment.

What's Next?

You've done the hard work of self-assessment. Now, let's go find that seat!

Join me for Part 3 of this series, Episode 128, where we'll tackle the burning question: "How do I find and get on a Board?" That episode will come out on 19 November 2025.

In this essential and powerful episode, I am joined by Gomeroi man, Kyol Blakeney, who generously shares his profound insights into navigating the world of governance as an Indigenous leader. Kyol provides a candid look at the experience of "walking in two worlds"; from his personal journey transitioning from a small home community to joining several prominent Boards, and reveals what true inclusion requires.

This conversation is a crucial call to action for every Director and Executive committed to creating genuinely diverse Boardrooms.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Unseen Hurdles: Kyol details the unacknowledged barriers that Indigenous aspiring Board Members face, including the constant, exhausting pressure to justify one's position and the systemic issue of tokenism.
• Covert Racism in Governance: Why relegating Indigenous Board Member's professional skills (like finance or education) solely to Indigenous-specific portfolio matters is a form of covert racism that stifles their full contribution.
• What Boards Get Wrong: How existing Boards often unknowingly hold back Indigenous candidates, and the concrete steps they must take to move past the fear of "doing it wrong" through active recruitment and meaningful engagement.
• Beyond the Checklist: Kyol offers a nuanced perspective on whether every Board needs a First Nations person, stressing that the inclusion must be strategic, purposeful, and essential for any organisation engaging with Country or community.
• Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Kyol's powerful recommendations for Indigenous individuals looking to join Boards: prioritise building deep, genuine relationships, never stop learning, and be ready to share your cultural knowledge to ensure that all can "walk together" in the future of governance.

Useful Links or Mentioned Links

Kyol Blakeney on LinkedIn

2025 Watermark Board Diversity Index

Yalari

AI is a hot topic, and its presence in the Boardroom is reaching a "fever pitch." In this episode, I revisit the topic of AI with Board administration guru, Suzanne Rowe, to get her current, real-world take on the rapidly advancing landscape.

Suzanne and I dive into the evolving use of AI for Board Members and Board Administrators, from meeting preparation to minute-taking. We share our candid concerns and enthusiasm, covering the necessary considerations for proper adoption, the tribulations that arise from improper use (or no use at all), and the excitement from someone who has witnessed the journey from manual typewriters to today's AI capabilities.

This is a candid conversation for any Board Member, Company Secretary, or Board Administrator trying to understand, make sense of, and navigate the weird and wonderful world of AI in governance.

The AI Archetype Quiz

I referenced an interesting AFR statistic that approximately 1 in 5 (19%) Australians exaggerate their understanding of AI, and 32% of workers try to avoid the subject.

I took the AI Archetype quiz and was identified as The Cautious Optimist—someone who is excited but cautious about AI. This archetype:

• Balances curiosity and risk-aversion.
• Needs reassurance from authority or peers before committing to action.
• Is often motivated by seeing tangible wins before fully embracing change.

If you want to take the quiz, visit this AFR article.

Connect with Suzanne

If you're interested in connecting with Suzanne Rowe to follow up on this episode, or if you have your own insights into AI in the Boardroom, you can find her on LinkedIn.

Thanks to our sponsor BoardPro

Visit boardpro.com/boardshorts and use the promo code boardshorts – all one word, lowercase – to get a 30-day free trial AND 20% off the price of your first year on any plan.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

AICD Guide to AI Governance

AICD and Governance Institute: Effective Board Minutes and the Use of AI (A Joint Statement)

Know your AI Archetype (AFR quiz)

AI for Board Secretaries with Suzanne Rowe (Board Shorts Podcast Ep. 92)

This episode kicks off a three-part series designed to help aspiring Board Members navigate the world of Board service. This first instalment tackles the most critical question: What does a Board Member actually do?

We'll go beyond the Boardroom to shine a light on the full scope of the role, including the risks, commitments, and rewards.

This episode addresses:

• The Core Responsibilities: the fundamental legal duties of an Australian Board Member/Company Director. We also break down the crucial difference between governance and management.
• Beyond the Boardroom: Discover the commitments that go beyond attending meetings. We cover committee work, stakeholder engagement, and the time required for meeting preparation and follow-up, which can be significant.
• The Board's Dynamic: We delve into the importance of a healthy Board culture, emphasising trust, constructive debate, and the need for a unified front. The vital role of the Board Chair is also highlighted, as this person significantly influences the Board's effectiveness and your experience as a Board Member.

This episode is your first step to a full awareness of what it truly means to be a Board Member.

Key Takeaways:

• Board service is a serious commitment with legal duties, but it can also be highly rewarding.
• The key duties for an Australian Company Director include acting with care and diligence, not improperly using your position, and preventing the company from trading while insolvent.
• The line between governance and management is often fluid, and it's essential for the Board and executive team to agree on their dynamic.
• Board work extends beyond meetings. Be prepared for commitments like committee work, stakeholder engagement, and extensive preparation time.

A Board's culture and the influence of the Chair are critical to your success and enjoyment in the role.

Stay Tuned:

• Episode 2 of this series will be released in November 2025, focusing on Do I have the right skills and experience for a Board?
• Episode 3 will follow, with a roadmap on How do I find and get on a Board?

Submit Your Question
If you have a question or that you would like me to answer in a future episode, please fill out my short online survey.

Subscribe and Share:
If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe and leave a review. For more information and resources, visit our website at getonboardaustralia.com.au.

How can Board Members navigate the rapid evolution of AI without succumbing to fear or hype?

As a "Geriatric Millennial," I'm sharing how I'm navigating this rapidly evolving technology without falling into the trap of hype or fear. While GenAI presents risks, it also offers significant opportunities that Boards must understand and govern effectively.

Key Takeaways for (Human) Board Members

• Human-in-the-Loop Approach: The most effective use of GenAI requires human interaction to correct for biases, hallucinations, and misinformation. Using it as a "colleague" rather than a replacement for human work results in a higher quality outcome.
• A Governance-Centric View: GenAI should be viewed through the lens of risk management and compliance. Boards have a legal duty to address issues like data privacy, confidentiality, and intellectual property. Check out this straightforward, structured approach to assessing AI risk, outlined by Helen van Orten and Alexie O'Brien, and other BoardPro webinars and resources.
• Integrating AI into Board Work:
  • Caution with Confidential Information: Consider the risks of uploading confidential Board materials like Board packs.
  • Strategic Use for Research: Use AI to analyse publicly available information to generate insightful questions for Boardroom discussions.
  • Enhancing, Not Replacing, Preparation: If using AI for Board meeting preparation, use it as a supplement to, not a replacement for, personal reading, analysis, and reflection.
• Lean on Colleagues and Experts: It is impossible to be an expert in everything. Ask questions, share resources, and lean on your Board colleagues and internal team members to build a shared understanding of AI's impacts and opportunities.
• Stay Engaged and Balanced: While AI is a hot topic, it's important to not neglect the foundational aspects of governance, such as strategy, risk, and financial oversight. Staying informed about AI's evolution from a variety of neutral sources is key to making sound decisions.
  • Learn how to use AI tools with Tim Martin from Net 101

If you have a question or a topic that you'd like covered in a future episode, please fill out our short online survey.

Watermark Search International – an executive and Board search firm – recently released their (somewhat) annual Board Diversity Index. This index reviewed the 2,100 Board Seats across the ASX300 Boards and evaluated those seats on a range of diversity attributes.

As I read through this report, a few things jumped out at me that are worth diving a little deeper into, particularly for aspiring Board Members. In this episode, I discuss Formal Governance Credentials and Board Member Qualifications (do you need one to join a Board?), Director Location (competition for Board roles is international), and Age diversity (when is the best time to pursue a listed company Board role?).

To dive deeper into the topics covered today, here are some links to explore:

• Watermark Search International 2025 Board Diversity Index
• Break into the Boardroom (online course)
• Episode 103: Understanding Your Board Value Proposition
• Episode 113: Telling Your Board Story through Your Board Resume

Thank you to Watermark Search International for providing additional survey data beyond the published index.

If you have a question or a topic that you'd like covered in a future episode, please fill out this short online survey.