Answering the "Why You?" Question: Mastering Your Board Story | Ep. 133
Tue Feb 03 2026
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.
Key Takeaways: 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? Resources & Links: 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.
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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. Key Takeaways: 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? Resources & Links: 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.