Board Shorts Podcast

Are you waiting for the perfect Board advertisement to appear before you touch your Board Resume? If so, you might be missing out on a whole lot of opportunities that your Board Resume can unlock.

In this episode, I dive into why a fit-for-purpose Board Resume is an essential piece of gear for your journey, regardless of whether you are responding to an advertisement. As I prepare for the 2026 launch of Build Your Board Resume, I share how to turn this document into a proactive marketing tool that works for you 24/7.

In this episode, I cover how your Board Resume can also function as:

• The Conversation Starter: How to use a Board Resume creation/overhaul as the perfect excuse to re-engage with mentors and Board Chairs for high-level feedback.
• The Leave-Behind: Why your Board Resume is actually marketing collateral that maintains your momentum long after a networking coffee is over.
• The Story-Teller: How to ensure your document tells a compelling "Board Story" even when you aren't there to present it yourself.
• The Board Career Helper: Strategic ways to use your Resume with search specialists, Board registers, and as a "featured" element on your LinkedIn profile.
• The Direct Approach: The refined chutzpah required to approach a Board directly with a compelling, tailored proposition.

Why your Board Resume needs a Strategic Overhaul:

A professional CV often fails in a Board context because it speaks to the wrong audience. If you want to elevate your Board career, your Resume must reflect that shift in level and perspective.

Take the Next Step Toward the Boardroom:

• Join the Priority Waitlist: Be the first to know when enrolment opens for our April/May 2026 intake. This 8-week implementation container is designed to get your Board Resume written and ready for action. Join Waitlist
• Save the Date: Enrolments for Build Your Board Resume officially open on 9 April 2026.
• Resources: Articles and Podcasts on Crafting a Winning Board Resume

Connect with Me:

• LinkedIn
• Website: Get on Board Australia

Ever felt like a total authority in your executive role, but like a complete fraud the moment you start working on your Board Resume?

In this episode, I'm joined by Mark Gregory, an experienced careers practitioner, to dismantle the "Successful Professional Paradox." We explore why even the most accomplished leaders often feel like a fraud when transitioning to the Boardroom and how your resume might be fuelling that fire.

In this episode, we cover:

• The Blank Page as a Mirror: Why starting your Board Resume from scratch acts as a psychological trigger for the inner critic, and how to stop the "compare and despair" cycle.
• Data vs. Emotion: How to use objective tools to ground your value. Mark explains why anchoring your identity in your natural strengths is the fastest way to silence Imposter Syndrome.
• The Identity Shift: Moving from the "Executive Ego" (what you do) to the "Director's Contribution" (who you are as a Board Member).
• The Permission Gap: Why many leaders wait for permission or another qualification before they feel Board-ready, and why a fit-for-purpose Board Resume is the permission slip you actually need.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Strengths Discovery: Take the VIA Character Strengths Assessment to identify your objective value markers.
• Demystifying the Machine: Read the article on ATS-compliant Resumes by Melita Long.
• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: Follow for more insights on leadership and career transitions.

Join the Waitlist for Build Your Board Resume (April/May program starts Monday 13 April 2026)

If you have spent the last twelve months sending your CV into the void for advertised roles and hearing nothing back, it is time for a new approach.

In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why the traditional job-hunting approach doesn't work for the Boardroom. I chat through the reality of the Hidden Board Market, where 90% of Board roles actually live, and introduce a brand-new vehicle to help you access it: the Build Your Board Career program.

Whether you are feeling frustrated by a lack of progress or standing at the very beginning of your journey wondering where to start, this episode breaks down the exact 12-week framework you need to stop playing the waiting game. We cover how to articulate your Unique Board Value Proposition, craft a strategic Board Resume, and build a networking plan that actually works.

In this episode, we cover:

• [00:59] Introduction: Why the "Seek Approach" is failing your Board search, and why starting from scratch can actually be a strategic advantage.
• [03:16] What is the Build Your Board Career program? How we combine online learning, live group sessions, and 1:1 support to help you get onto a Board.
• [03:49] The 12-Week Roadmap: Breaking down Month 1 (Your North Star), Month 2 (Your Board Resume & LinkedIn), and Month 3 (Your Network).
• [09:32] The Game Changer: Why ongoing, lifetime monthly 1:1 support is built into the program, so you never have to navigate the market alone.
• [10:22] The Investment: How much does the program cost? (Plus, details on the 50% Founding Member saving and the PayPal 'Pay in 4' option).
• [11:55] Who is this for? Who this program is suitable for, and why we champion "Directors with substance."
• [14:17] Immediate Access: What happens when you join, and when do you get access to the materials?
• [14:50] Buddy Sessions: How group buddies are assigned and how we match you strategically.
• [15:40] The Credential Question: Do you need to have your GAICD or another formal governance credential to join?
• [16:45] The Experience Question: Do you need to have previous Board experience?
• [17:31] The Location Question: Do you need to be based in Australia?
• [17:54] Taking Action: How to secure your spot before we officially kick off on Monday, 2 March.
• [18:57] Final Thoughts: The cost of inaction and why 2026 is your year to step up.

Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Secure your Founding Member spot in Build Your Board Career (50% Saving)
• Explore Get on Board Australia
• Have a question about the program? Send me an email to close any open loops before we kick off!

For many aspiring Board Members, "networking" is a dirty word. It conjures images of awkward cocktail parties, forced small talk, and the transactional exchange of business cards with no valuable follow through.

But if you want to access the 90% of Board roles that are never advertised, you cannot ignore your connections. You just need to change how you build them.

In this episode, I'm joined by Jerry Kleeman, a TEC Chair, executive mentor, and my husband. Jerry has spent decades building and nurturing a trusted network that returns quantifiable value to him and them.

In this conversation, Jerry dismantles the traditional idea of networking. He explains why most people fail because they focus on the activity rather than the asset, and shares why vulnerability, not bravado, is the key to building trust.

Key Takeaways:

• The Verb vs. The Noun: Jerry distinguishes between "networking" (the tiring, transactional activity) and "building a network" (the strategic asset).
• Trust the Process: You cannot build a network by accident. Jerry shares why you need a disciplined, systematic process to map your connections, nurture relationships, and track your progress; just like you would for any business project.
• Givers Gain (Be a Connector): The most effective networkers aren't the ones asking for favours; they are the ones connecting others. By adopting a "Givers Gain" mentality and asking "How can I help you?", you build a reservoir of goodwill that eventually flows back to you.
• Vulnerability is a Strength: Most candidates think they need to look perfect. Jerry argues that asking for specific advice or admitting you don't know the answer is actually a superpower; it flatters the listener and builds a deeper, more authentic connection.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Free Webinar "How to Win at the Board Game"

Join me LIVE on Thursday, 19 February 2026 to learn how to turn your network into a Board search strategy.

• Bonus: Live attendees will get first access to the Founding Member Offer for the new Build Your Board Career program (50% off).

👉 Register for the Free Webinar Here

JOIN THE PROGRAM: Build Your Board Career

Ready to stop guessing and start executing? The doors to the Founding Member intake open immediately following the webinar.

👉 Join the Program Waitlist Here

Connect with Jerry Kleeman:

• LinkedIn
• Website
• Vistage Australia & New Zealand

Connect with Lisa:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Resources

· Article: What Today's Rainmakers Do Differently (Harvard Business Review)

· Stay in Touch Tracking Template (.docx file)

· The Art of Networking with Jerry Kleeman | Ep. 29

For many aspiring Board Members, LinkedIn feels like a chore. We treat it like a static electronic filing cabinet for our past job titles, or we avoid it entirely because we're afraid of looking self-promotional.

But in 2026, your LinkedIn profile is often the very first thing a Chair, Nominations Committee, or Board Recruiter looks at; even before they read your CV.

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Etherington, a former journalist turned LinkedIn Strategist and the founder of Connect Content. Tom strips away the "influencer" noise and shares practical, low-stress strategies to turn your LinkedIn profile from a resume into a resource.

Together, we discuss why 90% of Board roles are filled through the "Hidden Market" and how your digital presence is the key to unlocking those doors.

Key Takeaways:

• The Mindset Shift: Why you need to stop thinking of LinkedIn as shouting about yourself and start thinking of it as being of service to your network.
• The Headline Audit: Your headline is the most valuable real estate you own. Tom explains why "People Asset Consultant at [Company]" is a wasted opportunity and how to rewrite it to showcase your value proposition.
• The "Wedding Photo" Mistake: Why a cropped photo of you at a social event sends the wrong signal to a Board, and what to use instead.
• Resume vs. Resource: How to write an "About" section that sells your future potential (i.e. Board governance) rather than just listing your past history (i.e. executive operations).
• The "Cocktail Party" Strategy: For introverts or those time-poor professionals: why commenting on other people's posts can often be more effective than writing your own.

Links & Resources Mentioned:

FREE WEBINAR: How to Win at the Board Game Want to see how your LinkedIn profile fits into a wider Board search strategy? Join Lisa for a free live masterclass on Thursday, 19 February 2026. Register for the Free Webinar Here

JOIN THE WAITLIST: Build Your Board Career Tom Etherington is a Resident Guest Expert inside the Build Your Board Career program. If you want his personal help auditing your profile, join the waitlist to be notified when the Founding Member intake opens. Join the Program Waitlist Here

Connect with Tom Etherington:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Tom
• Book a Call with Tom
• Website: Connect Content

Connect with Lisa:

• LinkedIn: Connect with Me
• Website: Get on Board Australia

Every Board you approach, whether through an advertisement or a coffee meeting, is asking themselves one fundamental question: "Why you?"

Why should they choose you over the other candidates? Why are you the risk worth taking?

If you are struggling to answer this question concisely, or if your applications are being met with silence, the issue likely isn't your capability; it's your Unique Board Value Proposition (UBVP).

In this episode, I deconstruct exactly how to build a compelling Board Story. I break down the seven elements that make up your unique value proposition and provide the "Triple Filter" you need to apply to ensure your pitch lands every time.

• The "Chicken and Egg" Scenario: Why you cannot craft a compelling story until you have a clear Board Goal (i.e., your North Star). You can't sell a solution if you don't know who the customer is.
• Symptoms of a Weak UBVP: If you have a 5+ page resume, if you are getting "not qualified" feedback, or if you are hearing silence, you likely have a value proposition problem.
• The 7 Elements of Your Board Value:
• Professional Expertise: Your technical talent and demonstrable outcomes.
• Career Experience: Industry, geography, and scale of companies.
• Network: Who you know, who knows you, and the leveragability of those connections.
• Board Experience: Years served, committees led, and key contributions.
• Lived Experience: Personal experiences that inform your governance (without clouding judgment).
• Wealth: Access to capital (relevant for specific NFP/Charity boards).
• Passions/Interests: The areas where you are willing to contribute discretionary effort.
• The Triple Filter: How to decide what makes the cut on your CV. Is it Relevant? Is it Distinctive? Is it Believable?

FREE WEBINAR: How to Win at the Board Game Ready to move from theory to action? Join me in this free live webinar where I'll will break down the practical roadmap to landing your first, next, or paid Board role in 2026. Click Here to Register for Free

Setting a Board Goal

• Setting a Board Goal | Ep. 102
• Setting and Calibrating Your Board Goals | Ep. 49
• How to Set a Board Goal

Connect with me:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Actionable Step for This Week: Audit your current Board Resume or LinkedIn "About" section. Run it through the "Triple Filter":

• Is every sentence Relevant to your target Board?
• Is it Distinctive (does it sound like you or just a generic professional)?
• Is it Believable (do you have the evidence)? If it doesn't pass the test, cut it.

If your Board search strategy consists of spending your Saturday mornings refreshing LinkedIn, searching through Institute listings, and waiting for an email alert to ping—this episode is your reality check.

Today, I'm breaking down the "Iceberg Theory" of Board recruitment. The advertisements you see on public job boards represent less than 10% of the actual opportunities. The other 90% - the hidden Board seat market - are filled through trusted networks, private recommendations, and strategic conversations long before an advertisement is ever written.

I explain why this 'Board Recruitment Theatre' (fake ads) might be wasting your time, how the recruitment process actually works behind closed doors, and how you can shift from being a passive 'Applicant' to an active 'Candidate' to access the hidden Board seat market.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Seagull Effect": Why relying on advertisements forces you to compete with thousands of candidates for the smallest slice of the market (like seagulls fighting for a chip at the beach).
• The Risk Management Reality: Why Boards prefer trusted referrals over unknown applicants, and why "who knows you" may matter more than just your resume.
• 'Board Recruitment Theatre': Understanding when an advertisement is just a compliance performance for a role that is already filled.
• The 5-Step 'Trust Transfer': A behind-the-scenes look at how a Board vacancy is filled (hint: the conversation often happens before the formal interview).
• The 3 Keys to Accessing the 90%:
1. Clarity (North Star): Being specific about the Board you want.
2. Visibility (Value Proposition): A clear and compelling Board story built on a reputation that precedes you.
3. Proximity (Network): Getting into the orbit of decision-makers.

Join the Build Your Board Career Priority Waitlist

Stop trying to piece the map together yourself. Join the Build Your Board Career program waitlist to get priority access to the strategy, templates, and support you need to land your first, next, or paid Board role in 2026.

Join the Waitlist here

Connect with Me:

• LinkedIn
• Website

Actionable Step for This Week: I am giving you a permission slip. If 90% of roles aren't advertised, then "the weekend scroll" isn't hustling, it's just anxiety. Join the waitlist, then close your laptop. Go watch the cricket, go for a run, or get out in the garden. Enjoy your weekend guilt-free knowing you have a plan waiting for you.

If you are currently looking for a Board role, answer this honestly: Is your strategy based on searching for that perfect advertisement, waiting for head-hunters to call, or asking your network to "keep you in mind"?

If so, you are likely hearing a lot of silence.

In this episode, I am sharing a bit of a reality check. I am breaking down the four most common "strategies" aspiring Board Members use, and exactly why they don't work in today's market.

Over 90% of Board roles are never advertised. If you are relying on the "Seek.com Approach," you are competing for less than 10% of the seats. It is time to stop playing the lottery and start building a strategy.

I'll walk you through the flaws in the traditional advice and introduce the intentional, strategic framework you need to access the hidden market and land your first, next, or paid Board role.

Key Takeaways

• The "Seek.com" Approach: Why waiting for advertisements means you are missing 90% of the market (and fighting for scraps).
• The Credential Trap: Why another post-nominal won't magically open the Boardroom door, and what Boards are actually looking for.
• The Recruiter Myth: Why the head-hunters who loved you as an executive have suddenly gone silent.
• The "Keep Me in Mind" Mistake: How aimless networking burns relationship capital and makes you look desperate.
• The Better Way: Introduction to an intentional Board Search Strategy (underpinned by a North Star, an Unique Board Value Proposition, and authentic Strategic Networking).

Are you ready to stop waiting? If you want to move from "aspiring" to "appointed" in 2026, I am opening the doors to a new high-touch implementation program: Build Your Board Career.

This is a 3-month intensive (with ongoing support and lifetime membership) designed to help you define your North Star, craft your Unique Board Value Proposition, and build a networking plan to access the hidden market.

Join the Priority Waitlist here

Instead of giving you a lecture or a list of "10 things you must do over Christmas," I'm giving you the exact opposite: full permission to switch off.

Tune in to hear why "strategic rest" is just as important as strategic action and learn about the one decision you need to make now to ensure 2026 is the year you finally land your Board role.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Permission to Rest: Why you cannot be an effective, sharp Board Member if you are constantly running on fumes.
• The "One Decision": A visualisation exercise to ask yourself where you want to be in December 2026—still aspiring, or wrapping up your year as a serving Board Member?
• A Major Announcement: A sneak peek at the new high-touch program launching in the new year, designed to stop the paralysis and get you Board-ready.
• The "Set and Forget" Strategy: How to plant a flag for your future-self right now so you can enjoy your holiday guilt-free.

Build Your Board Career

I'm officially announcing my brand new, high-touch program: Build Your Board Career.

This is a 3-month intensive starting on March 2, 2026, designed to build your brand, refine your value, and execute your Board search strategy. Crucially, the support doesn't stop after the intensive; you get ongoing support to progress your Board goals throughout the year.

It is the solution for aspiring Board Members who want a Board Career Coach in their pocket to guide them, cheer for them, and hold them accountable.

Links & Resources:

Join the Waitlist for Build Your Board Career: Don't worry about filling out applications during your break. Simply put your details on the waitlist to get first access when doors open in February.

Connect with Me:

• Website: Get on Board Australia
• LinkedIn: Lisa Cook

Thank you for tuning in during 2025. Have a safe, rejuvenating break, and I will see you refreshed and ready to go in 2026!

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