ExecThread’s Post

Having served on multiple company boards throughout my career and continuing to do so, I’ve found it to be a rewarding experience. It’s a great way to network, and with the right match, you can leverage your expertise and experience to contribute to your company growth. Serving on a board can be both enjoyable and fulfilling. However, not all board experiences are the same. You should avoid certain risks before committing–even if the CEO or board chair is your friend. So, before you agree to join that board, take the time to conduct some due diligence in the following six areas. #joiningaboard #theceoproject https://lnkd.in/eqr-R2xc

The Impact of Protégés, Sponsors, and Everlasting Relationships Today I attended an insightful webinar hosted by CareerCircle, thanks to an invitation from a former colleague. I was grateful not only for the invite but also for the personal touch in his message, acknowledging my passions and values. The webinar highlighted the importance of understanding people's values, being genuine, and fostering real connections. These connections can lead to lasting relationships that significantly impact our lives. During the webinar, the panelists distinguished between mentors and sponsors. Mentors offer guidance and motivation, sharing their wisdom and insights. On the other hand, sponsors actively advocate for you, leveraging their influence when opportunities arise. Sponsors typically have proteges, and being a good protege involves several key traits: ➡ Showing up as your best self and earning the trust of your sponsor. ➡ Understanding and clearly articulating your value proposition, skills, and strengths. ➡ Finding a sponsor entails identifying a respected leader whose values align with yours and from whom you wish to learn. Most importantly, these relationships evolve naturally, based on trust and mutual fulfillment. Reflecting on my own career, I've had many sponsors and proteges. What's remarkable is that while businesses and roles may change, the bonds between people endure. #SponsorsAndProteges #ValueProposition #BuildingRelationships #ROI #LifetimeLearner Rocki Howard Melanie Lougee Kim Sneeder Nuri M. Noah Killip

Unlocking Board Career Success: The Power of Not-for-Profit Boards - Discover the hidden benefits of serving on not-for-profit boards and how it can advance your board career. Learn from experienced directors and find out why a strategic not-for-profit board appointment is a valuable addition to your corporate journey. Don't miss out on this rewarding opportunity! #BoardCareer #NotForProfitBoards #CareerAdvancement #LeadershipDevelopment #StrategicAppointments #CorporateJourney #BoardSuccess #ExecutiveOpportunities #ProfessionalGrowth #GivingBack

Why join a board of directors? Continuing with this series, here are four solid reasons to consider pursuing a board role, especially if you are between full-time engagements. This stood out: “Any employer will tell you how much they value the ability to manage time and multiple commitments in their employees, and working on a board proves that you have those qualities in abundance.”   You can do this! Next time, I’ll share guidance for how exactly to land that board role. #JobSearch #BoardRoles #CareerChange #JoinABoard https://lnkd.in/epnh-GQb

From both sides now…. As I'm changing career gears from CEO into Non-Exec and Chair roles, I'm reflecting on the key relationships between Exec and Non-Exec members of the Board, and especially that of the Chair and CEO.  I've been fortunate with both my Chairmen Mark Winlow and Martin Bennett who gave time, great advice and built trust and openness. The intensity of the CEO role – right in the centre of the fire hydrant of data, stakeholders, risk, decisions and leadership means that she needs the cool heads of the Board to help her see around corners and evaluate the bigger picture. At the same time, from the CEO perspective, occasionally Non-Execs can seem out of touch and therefore unrealistic in their expectations of what the business can achieve. Inevitably, this asymmetry can cause tensions. So – from my perspective of seeing both sides now here’s how to build robust and high performing Board relationships.

So here we are? Its my last work day as a Joint interim CEO with my colleague Philippa Dart. The 425 days (or 14 months) has gone quickly and on the whole I have enjoyed the experience. Nothing we have had to deal with has phased us. Many people has said why didn't you go for the job permanently. Yes, I could have done (and I think I could have done a good job - hopefully the last 14 months proves that) but to be honest it isn't particularly what I want to do at present. I enjoy my Directors role and comparing the two roles I get to problem solve and be creative more in the directors role (particularly in the areas of placemaking, regeneration et al). I have a shed load of projects I want to get back to focussing on! and so I am entirely comfortable playing a supportive role to our new CEO Dawn Hudd. I think it helped both myself and Philippa that the start of our time wearing and sharing the pointy hat so to speak coincided with the district elections in 23. There was a big change in the politics of the Council with a new administration and a lot of new councillors on all sides. We have all had to grow into our roles together. The main disrupters didn't stand and so what was at times a toxic atmosphere has largely dissipated. I would like to thank all Cllrs of all parties for being supportive of us both over the last 14 months. One last reflection which is I think being a CEO can be a very lonely job, particularly if you are new to it, like we were. You don't necessarily have those close confidents at that level yet where you can have a heart to heart. Yes, there are plenty of peers to discuss work stuff but what I am talking about is the softer stuff - relationships, self doubts etc etc. I have been lucky I have had my co-CEO - Philippa - to discuss these sorts of issues with. So if you are a CEO I take my hat off to you because I don't believe many people fully understand the challenges you face, and I think unfortunately its going to get worse before it gets better. Anyway time to get back to that list of projects I mentioned. Time to rock on!!!

I was on a group coaching call last night where we shared the pivotal moments in our careers that contributed to where we are today. And the Forbes Business Council echoed this question today so I want to share the common themes. It's bold action. It's taking a big risk. It's betting on yourself. In my own career, the biggest pivotal moment was the decision to quit my full-time job to go all-in on building my business. Even though I was the sole earner for our family with two kids under 5 at the time. But I knew that my business, which has since scaled to become D&S Executive Career Management, couldn't grow to its full potential without me losing the safety net to fall back on. And this theme was echoed by my peers on the call last night. Examples of leaving big jobs, taking a "crazy risk" to do something new, walking through doors that opened into the unknown, and other bold actions led to great things down the road. What bold actions have you taken? What actions are you holding back from taking? #FBCJourneys #jobsearchadvice #jobsearchtips #executivecareers #careeradvice

Gratitude Post! This week I am really grateful for the relationships I have shared with so many people in the Market Research and Insights industry over the years. Taking a 1 year pause definitely left me with some anxiety. I now know that was wasted worrying. I've always been told to 'do it scared', so I didn't let that fear or other fears about starting a new business stop me. Doing it scared is my new norm ;). Being 1 month in business, our team has experienced a profound amount of encouragement, wisdom, partnership, and support from vendors, clients, mentors, and collaborative partners. The old and new connections we have made have been overwhelming for us. I severely underestimated how connected and supportive our industry is. I am extremely grateful for those that have connected with our team to be a partner or send over an opportunity. Thank you far and wide to those that have supported what we are building at Courageous Insights. #gratitude #relationships #connections #marketresearch #abundance

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"I know James Groves" Someone (who I didn't know) said this to me last week. They were convinced, I pushed them on it a little and nope they were still convinced they knew me, knew I was MD of Indigo Swan, know about some recent successes such as being named a finalist for SME Director of the Year at the Institute of Directors (IoD) Awards and a few other bits. I was like "what a great guy", they were like "yeah the best". I then politely pointed out that I was indeed James Groves. There was a brief silence, a little awkwardness and then a lot of laughter. So why did this person think they knew James Groves? Well after speaking it became apparent that this person had engaged with my content here and had followed for sometime, I was known within their business in a positive way and that based on this they had a sense of knowing me. Whilst giving this some thought over the last few days, it has made me feel grateful that people have taken the time to read my content, that people in other businesses view me in a positive light and that social media can be something that can truly help to build your brand, your business brand and allow you to find what all businesses want in the right way and that is growth. From finances, reputation, staff and your offering, growth is key to surviving in this current landscape that we live. As MD of our wonderful business I take great pride in putting myself out there. People will say, well that's you James, that's your character and to a point that's true, but it also takes effort, commitment and time, all things that take focus and willing. Business Leaders need to be seen, inside your business, outside your business and across the sector you work in. To this point, the part I was most proud of, is that said person above was from the Energy Sector. What don't I post a lot about? Energy!! What was her opinion of me and our business, extremely positive and respectful. Having a view on something, is better than having no view at all. Something to consider. #Brand #BusinessBrand #PersonalBrand #GetOutThere #BePresent #BeBold #BeBrave #CreateYourOwnFuture