Most people drift through life with around 200 connections, built up casually, without much strategy. But connections aren’t just a social asset. In many cases, they’re the very pathway to a board seat.
In the Veblen Director program, we teach five core components of winning a board role. While none are strictly sequential, connections deserve special attention. In many cases, they come first.
Why Connections Come First
Even if you’ve never sat in a boardroom, the right connections can get you through the door. Relationships open opportunities that qualifications alone can’t. But there’s an important caveat: this only works if you’re deliberate about building them.
Building the Right Network at the Right Stage
If you’re starting out, the best people to connect with are entrepreneurs, small business owners, angel investors, and those already serving on boards of smaller companies. This is the ecosystem most likely to give you your first shot.
If your ambition is to join the boards of listed multinationals and household-name corporations, your network needs to shift accordingly. At that level, connections with hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, and political influencers become critical. These are the circles where influence and capital intersect and where board appointments are shaped.
The Level of Your Network Shapes the Level of Your Opportunity
Connections don’t just expand your reach; they determine which boardrooms you can realistically enter. Whether you’re targeting a small private company or a global listed firm, the principle is the same: deliberate networking builds the foundation for opportunity.
Networking With Intention
A board seat is rarely awarded solely on merit or experience. More often, it’s facilitated through relationships. By being deliberate in the networks you cultivate, you align your ambitions with the right ecosystems, and that alignment can make all the difference.