How to Join Advisory Boards: Devi Sahny Shares Insights on Giving First

In a recent LinkedIn post, Devi Sahny shares her unconventional path to joining multiple advisory boards, emphasizing a philosophy of ‘giving first’ rather than traditional networking or application processes. Sahny, who currently sits on five advisory boards, details how each opportunity originated not from a formal invitation, but from her proactive efforts to provide value without immediate expectation of return.

Sahny highlights her early experiences, recounting how at age 24, she developed an entrepreneurship program for an international school in Malaysia. Despite lacking formal credentials at the time, her contribution was so impactful that the CEO invited her to join their advisory board. This set a precedent for her approach to building advisory roles.

“They started with me giving something away value for free.”

The post further illustrates Sahny’s journey with a notable rejection from Georgetown University’s advisory board at age 25, followed by a later award and subsequent invitation to join the Baratta Center for Global Business Education board at age 26. She also recounts offering curriculum feedback to her alma mater and accepting an invitation from Dukes Education CEO David Fitzgerald.

The Power of Relational Capital Over Formal Applications

Sahny argues that the conventional methods of applying for or networking into advisory board positions are often misguided. Instead, she posits that genuine contribution and consistent effort are the true catalysts for securing these roles.

“You don’t ‘apply.’ You don’t ‘network’ your way in. You give. Relentlessly. Without keeping score. Without thinking ‘what’s in this for me.'”

According to Sahny, these acts of giving, whether it’s offering advice on a mistake, making a crucial introduction, or providing feedback, build a deeper form of capital: trust. This trust, she explains, is what leads to opportunities where individuals are recommended for positions in rooms where they are not present.

Building Trust Through Consistent Value

Sahny elaborates on the compounding effect of these actions, stating:

“That stuff compounds. Not on a spreadsheet. Not in your bank account (well, maybe also that 😆). But in something deeper – trust. The kind of trust where someone says your name in a room you’re not in.”

Her core message revolves around a proactive, generous approach. Sahny advocates for giving without an agenda, believing that this strategy ultimately leads to being recognized and sought after for advisory roles. She frames this as a long-term game where consistent value creation naturally attracts opportunities.

A Call for Reciprocity and Generosity

Concluding her post, Sahny encourages her network to reflect on their own contributions and the help they’ve received, asking:

“Who have you helped this week – with zero expectation of getting anything back? Or who has helped 𝘺𝘰𝘶 this week? Share below. We need more of this.”

She further extends an offer to assist those keen on joining advisory boards, inviting them to comment with their desired sectors. Devi Sahny’s insights underscore a powerful, albeit less conventional, pathway to influence and leadership within organizations, rooted in sustained generosity and relationship-building.