Who are the people who have the most influence on your thoughts and actions?  Are they building you up or tearing you down?  If you are like many others you may not be paying attention to who the influencers in your life are.  Too often these people are affecting you out of fear, or guilt.

Are you afraid to make a change because “someone” will not approve, even though you know that it is the best thing to do?  Does that someone hold a place on your Board of Directors (Board)? Chances are they probably influence the other members, too.  How are they serving you?  I routinely look at my Board and make the necessary firing and hiring depending on how they are serving me.  Are they helping me to achieve my goals or are they sabotaging my efforts, either real or perceived?

I ask my clients, “Who is on your Board?” when they are held back from doing something out of fear.  It could be fear of failure, fear of being judged, fear of not being good enough, the list goes on.  Many times it is because their Board is not filled with people they respect, trust or admire.  As you look over your Board members, i.e. the people who have the most influence over your decisions, ask your self,  “Do I trust, respect or admire this person?” If the answer is no, then chances are the influence they have over you is not in your best interest.  You are most likely responding out of fear or guilt.

We all have the potential to invite negative influences into our life; it is the awareness of how they will affect us that keeps them off our board.  Imagine if your nasty co-worker or rude neighbor were able to dictate how you acted instead of the helpful mentor or non-judgmental friend.  I am not sure about you, but I like the idea of my board members having my back, working for me and not against me.  I would love to hear how your board changes with this awareness.