I serve on the advisory boards of many organisations and startups at home and abroad.
There are many pending requests.
It is not every request you accept.
Last year, I was invited to join the advisory board of a promising startup.
The founder was passionate, the pitch was compelling, and the industry aligned with my expertise.
It seemed like a great opportunity until I dug deeper.
I asked a few key questions and quickly realised:
❌ There was no clear governance structure.
❌ The financials were murky.
❌ The expectations of my role were vague.
❌ There were legal risks I wasn’t comfortable with.
I politely declined.
Months later, the startup collapsed due to poor leadership decisions.
That experience reinforced a crucial lesson: not every board seat is worth accepting.
A board role is more than just a title.
It’s a responsibility.
Before you say “yes,” ask these 10 critical questions:
1️⃣ What is the company’s mission, and does it align with your values?
2️⃣ What are the expectations of your role – advisory, governance, strategic input, or operational involvement?
3️⃣ What is the financial health of the company? (You don’t want surprises.)
4️⃣ What liabilities and risks are associated with this role? (Legal, reputational, or financial.)
5️⃣ What is the time commitment, and does it fit your schedule?
6️⃣ Who are the other board members, and what is the board culture?
7️⃣ What are the compensation, equity, or pro bono involvement expectations?
8️⃣ Does your expertise genuinely add value to this company at this stage?
9️⃣ What is the company’s governance structure, and how transparent are decision-making processes?
🔟 Would you be proud to be publicly associated with this company?
The right board seat can expand your influence, network, and impact.
The wrong one can drain your time, damage your reputation, and even put you at risk.
You must be selective.
Your reputation is built on what you say “yes” to.
Before you accept any board invitation, take a step back.
Do your due diligence.
Ask the tough questions.
A seat at the wrong table is worse than no seat at all.
Have you ever turned down a board seat?
What was your reason?
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