Have you ever wondered what it really takes to land a corporate board seat?
Deborah Rosati is an award-winning corporate director with over 20 years of board experience. She’s the founder & CEO of Women Get On Board and co-founder of Women Funding Women. Translation? When it comes to securing a corporate board seat and thriving once you’re there, there’s no one better to help than the woman who’s opened the door for so many others.
In our conversation in the latest Talk About Talk podcast, ep.194, Women: Get on BOARD, Rosati shared exactly what boards are looking for, the biggest things holding many women back, and how to go from “quiet expert” to board-ready, visible, and in-demand.
And because we’re both big fans of practical tools you can implement immediately, she also dropped an acronym that will change the way you speak in meetings forever.
Here are three key takeaways that will help you in the boardroom and beyond:
1️⃣ The “rule of three” for women on boards
When it comes to representation, numbers matter.
As Deborah puts it:
“One woman is a token.
Two is a presence.
Three is a voice.”
If you lead a board, committee, or team, think about this rule when you’re building your roster. Because for women (or other minorities) to have real influence, they can’t just be a token.
2️⃣ Power comes from preparation
Rosati shared a story with me about how she once asked a CEO a question based on a footnote in his financial statements. He was gob-smacked. That’s next-level prep, the kind that builds instant credibility.
Economist Janet Yellen once said she attributed her success to always being the most prepared person in the room.
Being overprepared is never a bad thing.
Let Rosati’s and Yellen’s advice be your standard, whether it’s a board meeting, a client pitch, or a one-on-one with your boss.
3️⃣ W.A.I.T., why am I talking?
W.A.I.T. This is the acronym Deborah wants us to write at the top of every meeting agenda.
W.A.I.T. stands for “why am I talking?”
It’s about self-awareness.
Are you speaking to add value, or just to fill the air?
In high-stakes settings like the boardroom, well-timed, intentional contributions carry the most weight.
It’s critical to make your voice heard (you’ve likely heard my recommendation to always track the ratio, and ensure you’re contributing your fair share), but if your idea, comment, or question won’t move the dialogue towards its end goal, ask yourself, “Why am I talking?”
Bonus insight: How to succeed in high-stakes meetings
On top of the valuable insights shared by Rosati, I wanted to pass along three more simple but game-changing habits I share when coaching executives to prepare for success in high-stakes meetings:
1. Connect before you meet
Before a big pitch or meeting, look up attendees on LinkedIn and connect with them. Send a quick note like, “Looking forward to meeting you Friday.”
It signals preparation, gives them a preview of your impressive profile, and may uncover shared experiences (same school, same industry, same city) that serve as easy conversation starters.
2. Set two objectives
At the top of your meeting notes, write:
Meeting objective – the official goal of the meeting.
Personal objective – your personal goal for how you’ll communicate in the meeting (e.g., avoid your crutch word, no interrupting, or W.A.I.T.!). This builds self-awareness.
3. Run your own checklist
For high-stakes meetings, I always create a “meeting prep checklist,” and I encourage you to do the same. There’s technology, my meeting space, and me (how I show up).
Running through this checklist ensures I don’t forget anything. It also helps me keep calm and focus on the work.
Little details can make a big impact, for better or for worse. Executives notice. So do boards.
Whether you’re aiming for your first board seat, already serving, or simply looking to sharpen your leadership presence, Rosati’s advice is gold.
I encourage you to follow her on LinkedIn for more of her insights. And please listen to my full interview with Rosati in latest Talk About Talk podcast, ep.194, Communication Skills for Board Members. Listen (or watch) on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Let me know what you think!
Talk soon,
Dr. Andrea Wojnicki
executive communication coach