6 days ago
Landing Your First Board Seat: Seven Practical Steps
Marie Holive is the COO of Proteus International and 3-time board member of public and private companies in the U.S., U.K. and Canada.
When my previous Forbes article on effective board leadership went live, many aspiring directors asked the same question: 'Great—but how do I actually get a seat at the table?'
I understand the frustration. Before I joined two listed boards in the U.K. and U.S. and a private one in Canada, I collected more than 27 rejections, was told I was 'too young at 40' and discovered that a stellar CEO resume can be the wrong calling card.
Landing your first non-executive directorship (NED) is a different sport from winning an executive post. Here's the roadmap I wish I'd had.
1. Understand the board equation.
A board seat is a fiduciary commitment, not a promotion. Independent directors now devote 300-plus hours a year reviewing packs, joining site visits and scenario rehearsals. Your job is to oversee, question and guide, not to manage. As the U.K. Corporate Governance Code reminds chairs, they must give NEDs space to hold 'full and frank' discussions outside management's earshot. If you thrive on daily operational control, think twice; if you relish strategic foresight, risk choreography and ethical stewardship, read on.
But make sure you give yourself a readiness reality check. Recite, in one breath, the top three statutory duties of a director in your jurisdiction. If you hesitate, book a governance course before you apply.
2. Target the right board and the right moment.
In 2024, one in three (34%) S&P 500 directors appointed were first-timers. That's encouraging, but choice beats chance. Public versus private equity-backed, family-owned versus charity, U.S. versus continental Europe—each context dictates liability, regulation and culture.
Early in my search, I fixated on TV networks (my CEO background). Ironically, I only broke through when I widened the lens to adjacent technology, media and telecommunications segments. I joined a NASDAQ gaming company and a U.K. technology firm where my audit-chair skills were differentiating, not duplicative.
Write a two-sentence board vision statement that nails sector, stage and where you add asymmetrical value. Then, sanity-check it with a couple of sitting directors.
3. Close your gaps deliberately.
Boards hire for three things, in my experience: governance fluency, committee-ready expertise and sound judgment. Map yourself against the skills matrix of your dream board and plug holes quickly.
For instance, I focused on getting the right credentials by taking relevant courses. I also gained proxy experience through senior advisory work for two startups and later for my current company. Finally, I leveraged my coaching credential and facilitation expertise to show I could orchestrate board dynamics, not dominate them.
But remember: Credentials don't buy you a seat, though they can often buy you the conversations.
4. Build a board-ready brand.
As an article published by the National Association of Corporate Directors put it, "The role you're playing in the boardroom is decidedly different from that of your executive career in that you're overseeing—serving as a resource for management—and not managing the business yourself." Your collateral must echo that shift. In your board resume:
• Open with a crisp board value line, such as 'Independent director, audit-chair ready, digital growth lens.'
• Swap executive verbs for governance verbs, like "guided," "scrutinized," "safeguarded" and "facilitated."
• Spotlight oversight outcomes, such as 'Oversaw $2 billion cyber roadmap and cut residual risk by 38%.'
• Surface committee credentials and governance training.
Translate the same narrative to LinkedIn and a 90-second elevator pitch. Rehearse it until it sings. Gather feedback and iterate.
5. Activate a purpose-built network.
Board hiring is a 'tap on the shoulder' market. Start with three concentric circles: search firms that specialize in board placement; peer directors, such as those in alumni groups, professional director associations, etc.; and allies with proximity, such as your auditor, your company board, general counsel, investors and private-equity firms.
Audit your network map quarterly. In my first year, I set a quota of four new board-relevant coffees a month. Many were dead ends; one introduction led to the chair who finally sponsored me.
6. Run a disciplined search process.
Treat your board hunt like a capital-raising round:
• Deal Flow: Track roles through board-recruitment platforms and networks.
• Pipeline Calls: Keep CRM-style notes, and follow up every 90 days with insight, not asks.
• Interview Prep: Convert executive war stories into crisp challenge-action-result vignettes that show oversight judgment—especially around audit, risk and strategy.
A word on geography: Director liability, regulatory clearance and time zones matter. Don't accept more travel than your bandwidth, or your family, can bear.
7. Pace yourself, and choose wisely.
Your first board will brand you for years, so thorough due diligence is non-negotiable. Before you say "yes," make sure you:
• Speak with at least two independent directors and one key executive to test cultural fit and appetite for your challenge style.
• Request the last four sets of board minutes, committee charters and the latest board-evaluation summary. Look for patterns of unresolved issues.
• Review directors and officers (D&O) insurance limits, litigation history and auditor letters.
• Ask how new voices are integrated. Will your contributions be welcomed or filed under 'other business?'
I recommend walking away if the chemistry feels toxic, the company is a single-issue activist battle you're unequipped to fight or you need the fees to pay the mortgage (desperation shows). I didn't join a prestigious media board because my skills overlapped the CEO's; three months later, I accepted a tech audit chair role that stretched me and complemented management. It paid dividends in learning and reputation.
The Hard Truth
Expect rejection—lots of it. I kept a spreadsheet titled 'Not Yet.' Entry No. 17 was a major organization where I lost in the final round; entry No. 28 was the NASDAQ gaming company that said yes. Every 'no' sharpened my narrative. Gather a support squad, celebrate micro-wins and remember: Boards hire on fit and timing, not just merit.
Closing Thought
Board service is the culmination of your strategic, financial and leadership strengths—but only if you treat the search itself as a strategic project. Follow the seven steps, embrace the hard truth about rejection and your next 'declined' email may soon turn into 'welcome to the board.'
Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
