Building a Personal Board of Advisors Using LinkedIn

In business, the idea of a “board of advisors” is well known—a group of trusted experts who provide strategic guidance, support, and connections to help a company thrive. But what if you applied this concept to your personal career and professional growth?

Imagine having a diverse group of mentors, peers, industry veterans, and thought leaders you can turn to for advice, feedback, and encouragement—a personal board of advisors tailored specifically to your ambitions and challenges.

Thanks to LinkedIn, building your personal board of advisors has never been easier or more accessible. This article walks you through how to identify, connect with, and nurture a powerful advisory network on LinkedIn that can elevate your career.

Why You Need a Personal Board of Advisors

No matter where you are in your career, having multiple perspectives on your decisions, goals, and challenges is invaluable. A personal board of advisors can:

• Provide diverse insights and expertise you may not have on your own

• Challenge your assumptions and encourage growth

• Offer encouragement and accountability

• Open doors to opportunities through their networks

• Help you navigate career transitions, leadership challenges, or skill development

Unlike a traditional mentor relationship that’s often one-on-one and long-term, your personal board can be made up of several individuals offering guidance in different areas and at varying times.

Step 1: Define Your Advisory Needs and Goals

Before reaching out, clarify what you want from your personal board:

• Are you seeking advice on leadership, technical skills, career transitions, entrepreneurship, or something else?

• What gaps do you want to fill in your knowledge or network?

• How often do you hope to engage with your advisors? (e.g., occasional advice, quarterly check-ins, ongoing mentorship)

• What kind of diversity in perspectives and experiences do you want?

Knowing your needs will help you identify the right people to approach.

Step 2: Identify Potential Advisors on LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a treasure trove for finding professionals who fit the advisory roles you need. Here’s how to find them:

Use LinkedIn Search and Filters

• Search for professionals by industry, role, location, or skills.

• Use keywords related to your goals (e.g., “startup founder,” “marketing strategist,” “HR leader”).

• Filter by connections of connections to find second-degree contacts who might be more accessible.

Leverage Alumni Networks

• Use your university’s alumni LinkedIn page to find people who share your background but have advanced careers.

• Alumni are often more willing to advise fellow graduates.

Look at Thought Leaders and Content Creators

• Identify active professionals who regularly share insights and engage with their audience.

• These individuals demonstrate expertise and willingness to engage publicly.

Step 3: Engage with Potential Advisors Before Connecting

Before sending connection requests, start building familiarity:

• Follow their LinkedIn profiles.

• Like, comment thoughtfully, and share their posts to show genuine interest.

• Respond to discussions they participate in.

• Share relevant articles or resources they might find useful and tag them (sparingly and thoughtfully).

This “warming up” process makes your connection request feel more natural and increases acceptance chances.

Step 4: Send Personalized Connection Requests

When ready to connect, always send a personalized message. A generic request is easy to ignore, but a thoughtful note demonstrates your intent and respect.

Example message:

Hi [Name], I’ve been following your insights on [topic] and really appreciate your perspective. As I work on [specific goal], I’m building a personal advisory group and would love to connect and learn from your experience. Thank you!

Keep it concise, clear, and focused on what drew you to them specifically.

Step 5: Build Relationships Through Meaningful Interaction

Once connected, don’t immediately ask for heavy advice or favors. Focus on relationship-building:

• Thank them for connecting.

• Share occasional updates about your progress or projects.

• Ask open-ended questions to invite dialogue.

• Offer your help or insights where possible—it should be a two-way street.

• Invite them for virtual coffee chats or short calls if they’re open.

Consistency and respect go a long way in deepening these connections.

Step 6: Organize Your Board and Keep Track

With multiple advisors, it’s important to stay organized:

• Use a spreadsheet or CRM tool to track who’s who, what advice they’ve given, and next follow-up dates.

• Categorize advisors by expertise areas.

• Schedule periodic check-ins to keep the relationship alive without overwhelming either party.

Being intentional ensures you get the most value and maintain strong ties.

Step 7: Show Appreciation and Give Back

Remember, your advisors are volunteering their time and knowledge. Always:

• Thank them sincerely after conversations.

• Share how their advice has helped you.

• Celebrate their successes by commenting on their posts or congratulating milestones.

• If possible, offer to introduce them to someone in your network or provide value in other ways.

A reciprocal relationship makes your board sustainable and rewarding.

Bonus Tips for Success

• Be selective: Quality over quantity matters. A few engaged, invested advisors are better than dozens who barely know you.

• Be clear about boundaries: Respect their time and be specific about what you’re asking.

• Diversify your board: Include people from different industries, career stages, and backgrounds to get a well-rounded perspective.

• Stay open to change: Your needs will evolve. It’s okay to add or phase out advisors as your journey progresses.

• Leverage LinkedIn Groups and Events: Join groups relevant to your field or attend virtual events to discover new potential advisors.

Final Thoughts

Building a personal board of advisors on LinkedIn is a proactive, strategic way to accelerate your career growth and navigate challenges with confidence. By defining your needs, thoughtfully engaging with potential advisors, and nurturing these relationships, you create a powerful support system tailored just for you.

Start today—identify one or two people on LinkedIn who inspire you and begin engaging. Over time, you’ll find that your personal board of advisors becomes an invaluable asset on your professional journey.

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