In a recent LinkedIn post, Callum Laing offers a provocative perspective on securing high-level board positions, challenging the conventional approach of applying for roles. Laing advocates for a more proactive strategy: creating opportunities rather than seeking them.
Shifting from Application to Creation
Callum Laing argues that the most impactful board opportunities rarely originate from formal application processes. Instead, he suggests that true value lies in an individual’s ability to identify and solve critical business problems, whether related to growth, governance, investor relations, or ESG initiatives.
“High-level opportunities rarely begin with a formal application.”
According to Laing, the fundamental shift occurs when professionals move from seeking to be chosen to focusing on being useful. This change in mindset, he explains, completely alters the dynamic of potential engagements.
The Entrepreneurial Approach to Board Roles
Laing criticizes the passive stance of waiting for a “tap on the shoulder.” He observes that individuals who demonstrate agility and foresight are often the ones who initiate and cultivate commercial discussions well before any official board vacancy is advertised.
“The strongest board conversations start when you can solve a real problem, whether that’s growth, governance, investor relations or ESG.”
This perspective underscores a core tenet of Laing’s philosophy: the importance of an entrepreneurial mindset, regardless of one’s current role. He posits that while not everyone is destined to be an entrepreneur, the ability to think entrepreneurially is a crucial skill for career advancement.
Creating Value to Create Opportunity
Laing elaborates on this by stating:
“Once you stop trying to be chosen and start trying to be useful, the whole dynamic changes.”
His advice encourages professionals to actively identify unmet needs within organizations and position themselves as problem-solvers. This approach, as Callum Laing highlights, allows individuals to shape their own opportunities rather than waiting for them to materialize.
Rethinking Career Progression
The central question Callum Laing poses to his audience is:
“Where in your own career are you still waiting to be invited, when you could be creating the conversation yourself?”
This call to action urges a re-evaluation of how professionals approach career development, particularly in seeking senior advisory or directorial roles. Laing’s insights suggest that proactive engagement and demonstrable value creation are far more effective strategies than traditional methods of job seeking.
In conclusion, Callum Laing’s LinkedIn post provides a compelling argument for a paradigm shift in how individuals pursue board-level opportunities. By emphasizing the creation of value and the adoption of an entrepreneurial spirit, professionals can move beyond passive waiting and actively shape their career trajectories.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by Callum Laing on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on April 29, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →