The Athlete’s Guide to Building a Personal Advisory Board: Your MVPs Off the Field

As an athlete, you’ve always had a team to back you up. Whether it’s teammates setting picks, coaches yelling play-by-plays from the sidelines, or trainers ensuring your legs don’t fall off after back-to-back games, you’ve relied on a network to thrive. But what happens when you step off the field and into the game of life? Spoiler alert: You still need a team—but this time, it’s your Personal Advisory Board.

What’s a Personal Advisory Board, you ask? It’s your crew of trusted advisors—like a board of directors, but for you personally. They’re the people who guide you, mentor you, and occasionally talk you out of truly terrible decisions (like attempting to turn a meme into a business model). If you’re transitioning into the workforce, launching a business, or just trying to navigate adulthood, your board is your secret weapon.

The Star Players of Your Board

Building a Personal Advisory Board is a lot like forming a championship team. You need a mix of skills, perspectives, and personalities to help you tackle different challenges. Here’s a look at the kinds of players you want in your lineup:

The Mentor

Every athlete knows the value of a good coach. In the advisory board world, that’s your mentor. This is someone who’s walked the path you’re on—or at least one that’s similarly bumpy—and can share their wisdom. They’re like your career GPS, helping you avoid the potholes and detours that could slow you down.

Your mentor doesn’t have to be a high-ranking executive (though that’s a bonus). They just need to be someone who’s got experience and insight in your area of interest. And no, your older cousin who once sold NFTs probably doesn’t count.

The Connector

You know that one friend who always “knows a guy” for literally everything? That’s your connector. This person has a Rolodex the size of a dictionary and isn’t afraid to use it. Whether you’re job hunting, looking for investors, or trying to get an introduction to a specific industry, your connector can open doors you didn’t even know existed.

The Truth Teller

If you’ve ever run wind sprints while your coach yelled, “Don’t stop!” you already know the value of someone who tells it like it is. Your truth teller keeps you grounded, offers honest feedback, and isn’t afraid to let you know when you’re veering off course. Think of them as the tough-love teammate who calls you out but only because they want to see you succeed.

The Cheerleader

When the going gets tough—and it will—you need someone in your corner reminding you how awesome you are. The cheerleader might not be a business guru or industry insider, but they’re invaluable for your morale. They’re the ones texting you after a big presentation to say, “You crushed it!” or hyping you up before an interview.

The Wild Card

Every team needs a little unpredictability. The wild card is the person who thinks differently, challenges your perspective, and pushes you to consider options you’d never dream of. They might not always tell you what you want to hear, but their ideas can lead to breakthrough moments.

Drafting Your Team

Now that you know who you need, how do you get them? Building a Personal Advisory Board isn’t about sending out invites like it’s a birthday party. It’s about identifying people you admire, connecting with them authentically, and building relationships over time.

Start by looking at the people already in your life. Do you have a former coach who’s great at leadership advice? A professor who knows your dream industry? A friend who always has their finger on the pulse of job opportunities? Your board doesn’t have to be full of strangers—it can include people you already trust.

Once you’ve identified potential members, reach out with a clear and thoughtful ask. Be upfront about what you’re looking for, whether it’s regular advice, occasional feedback, or help making connections. And remember, this is a two-way street—be ready to offer something in return, even if it’s just gratitude and a willingness to pay it forward someday.

Keeping the Team Engaged

Building a Personal Advisory Board isn’t a one-and-done task. It’s an ongoing relationship that requires effort. Keep your advisors in the loop about your goals, progress, and challenges. Show them that you value their input by acting on their advice and following up with updates.

And don’t forget to celebrate the wins with them—whether it’s landing a new job, launching your business, or simply surviving your first year out of college. Your advisory board isn’t just there to help with the hard stuff; they’re there to cheer you on through the victories, big and small.

The Game-Changer

Here’s the beauty of a Personal Advisory Board: it’s entirely yours. Unlike your college coach, this team doesn’t yell at you to run laps, and they don’t sub you out if you miss a shot. They’re here to support, guide, and inspire you as you navigate life’s next big chapter.

As an athlete, you already know how to build a team, trust the process, and put in the work to achieve your goals. Now, it’s time to take those skills off the field and apply them to your career. With the right advisory board in your corner, you’ll be ready to crush it—whatever “it” happens to be.