Board Shorts Podcast

When transitioning from an executive role to the Boardroom, having decades of brilliant experience isn't enough - you have to know how to transmit that value to others. In this episode, I sit down with international communications coach Helen von Dadelszen to unpack how aspiring Board Members can find their true "voice" and project authentic executive presence.  Helen breaks down why...

Are you endlessly searching for the "seek.com.au" for Boards? In this episode, we are debunking the biggest myth aspiring directors fall for: that all vacancy advertisements are sitting in one hidden place just waiting to be found. The reality of the Boardroom is that 90% or more of Board opportunities are never advertised. If you are only applying to the 10% that are made public, you’re...

Are you tired of waiting for the perfect advertisement to appear, or feeling unsure of where to even begin your search? With over 90% of Board roles never seeing a public job board, mastering the hidden Board seat market through strategic networking is the ultimate key to your success. If the thought of networking gives you the "heebie-jeebies," don't worry. In this episode, I strip...

You're working 50 hours a week, managing a team, and smashing your corporate KPIs. But you're also looking up at the Boardroom and thinking, 'I think I'm ready for that next strategic step.' So, when is the right time to pull the trigger and start a Board Career? This episode breaks down the why, the where, and the how of balancing Board service with a full-time career. Whether you're early in you...

Are you tired of waiting for the perfect Board role to appear in an email alert? In this conversation, take a peek behind the corporate veil to understand the hidden mechanics of Board recruitment. Explore why the Board marketplace is a "buyer's market," the truth behind the tiny fraction of roles that are ever advertised, and why the process often takes months longer than a standard executive hir...

Are you thinking about a Board career but feel you aren't quite ready to commit the time yet? You don't have to wait until you are ready to apply for roles to start building your Board profile. In this episode, I discuss how you can leverage your current "professional career" (your day-to-day paid role) to develop the skills, networks, and reputation required to win at the Board game. These three...

Are you tired of playing a reactive game, waiting for the perfect advertisement to appear before you even think about your Board Resume? In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of the Strategic Board Resume, a proactive marketing tool designed to move you from the operational "doing" of your executive life to the strategic oversight required in the Boardroom. We move past the historical aut...

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 lau...

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 mi...

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...

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 J...

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 wi...

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 V...

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 hid...

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...

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...

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...

Finding and getting onto a Board is a strategic game, not a job hunt. This episode covers the necessary tools, networking strategies, and the recruitment process to ensure you move further, faster, and land on a Board where you can contribute at your highest level. In this episode, I share: Why the "Traditional" Approach Fails: I explain why waiting for advertisements and using a standard resume i...

Do I have the right skills and experience for a Board? I'm back for Part 2 of our three-part series to guide you through the vital self-assessment step on your journey to the Boardroom. The big question: Do I have the right skills and experience to join a Board? The answer is almost certainly yes, but the key is finding the right Board that needs what you offer right now. In this episode, I help y...

In this essential and powerful episode, I am joined by Gomeroi man, Kyol Blakeney, who generously shares his profound insights into navigating the world of governance as an Indigenous leader. Kyol provides a candid look at the experience of "walking in two worlds"; from his personal journey transitioning from a small home community to joining several prominent Boards, and reveals what true inclusi...

AI is a hot topic, and its presence in the Boardroom is reaching a "fever pitch." In this episode, I revisit the topic of AI with Board administration guru, Suzanne Rowe, to get her current, real-world take on the rapidly advancing landscape. Suzanne and I dive into the evolving use of AI for Board Members and Board Administrators, from meeting preparation to minute-taking. We share our candid con...

This episode kicks off a three-part series designed to help aspiring Board Members navigate the world of Board service. This first instalment tackles the most critical question: What does a Board Member actually do? We'll go beyond the Boardroom to shine a light on the full scope of the role, including the risks, commitments, and rewards. This episode addresses: The Core Responsibilities: the fund...

How can Board Members navigate the rapid evolution of AI without succumbing to fear or hype? As a "Geriatric Millennial," I'm sharing how I'm navigating this rapidly evolving technology without falling into the trap of hype or fear. While GenAI presents risks, it also offers significant opportunities that Boards must understand and govern effectively. Key Takeaways for (Human) Board Members Human-...

Watermark Search International – an executive and Board search firm – recently released their (somewhat) annual Board Diversity Index . This index reviewed the 2,100 Board Seats across the ASX300 Boards and evaluated those seats on a range of diversity attributes. As I read through this report, a few things jumped out at me that are worth diving a little deeper into, particularly for aspiring Boar...

Welcome to a special masterclass edition! In this episode, I'm sharing the full recording of my live masterclass, originally held in our vibrant Board Talk Facebook Community . If you've been wondering how to genuinely break into the Boardroom and truly make an impact, this episode is your strategic roadmap. I dive deep into the underlying theory and practical application of my proven 8-step appro...