What Becoming a Trustee Taught Me

Last week was Trustees’ Week in the UK. An annual celebration of the people who give their time, energy, and expertise to support organisations across the country. It’s a moment to thank those who step up to strengthen governance and help others and organisations thrive.

It also served as a prompt to reflect on why I became a trustee, and my time as a Non-Executive Director.

When One Door Closes

I wish I could say my reasons for volunteering were completely selfless. But they weren't.

I had recently missed out on a role I really wanted, one I was confident I could do well. The recruitment process left me acutely aware of the gap between my professional capability and my ability to express it effectively in an interview setting. The experience ignited in me a determination to prove that I could take on greater responsibility, think and act strategically, and hold my own at a more senior level.

That rejection was quite possibly one of the best things that ever happened to me. It became the starting point for so many wonderful experiences. I went on to lead a workplace women’s network, to become a trustee, and to achieve a distinction in my MBA, all while working full-time. All of this, together with a great deal of personal reflection, helped me understand myself more deeply.

Baptism of Fire

Those first months as a trustee were....challenging.

In my day job, I was so used to being detail-driven, precise, and knowledgeable of process and context. Suddenly, I was surrounded by people who spoke in shorthand, used acronyms and insider references. I found the lack of clarity difficult, and I felt like an annoyance always seeking clarifications.

It took nearly a full term of appointment before I felt like I truly added any real value, despite spending hours diligently preparing for meetings. For a while, every comment, question, or suggestion seemed to be dismissed or met with defensiveness. I couldn’t understand how the role could be so hard, or how I was failing so badly.

So I sought feedback from the secretary, fellow board members, and the chair, all of whom reassured me that this wasn’t the result of my contributions, my approach, or some unintentional faux pas. I kept going, but this time for myself.

Staying the Course

Slowly, but surely, I found my feet. Things didn't change over night, but through small acts of connection. Building relationships with other trustees, and quietly seeking support from the governance professional, helped me find my way.

By my third year, I started to take on deeper work: workplace visits, recruitment, investigations. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was meaningful, and it gave me a perspective I could never have gained from the boardroom alone. I saw the impact of our decisions on real people and real lives, and that changed everything.

Being a trustee taught me patience, resilience and perseverance, lessons that have stayed with me in every leadership role since. While it wasn’t an easy role, it was one of the most enriching experiences of my career.

I would encourage anyone who can to give it a try, not only for the professional development, but for the personal fulfilment it brings.

Advice for Aspiring Trustees

If you’re thinking about becoming a trustee to gain strategic experience, here’s what I’d share:

• Secure your employer’s support: Meetings and training take time, and being there in person makes a difference.

  
  

• Commit to the training: Even if it feels repetitive, it demonstrates credibility and builds confidence.

  
  

• Be patient with yourself: If you’re new to the sector, it may take a full cycle of meetings to find your voice.

  
  

• Ask questions: If something’s unclear to you, it’s probably unclear to someone else too.

  
  

• Governance is not management: Trustees provide oversight, challenge, and support, ensuring the organisation fulfils its purpose without stepping into operational delivery.

  
  

• Keep a reflective diary: Note how you feel before and after meetings, what confuses you, and what becomes clear. You’ll see your own growth in real time.

Finding Your Way

If you’re curious about trusteeship, there are plenty of ways to get started. Organisations such as Reach Volunteering, Getting on Board, and the Charity Commission list current vacancies and provide guidance for new trustees. You can filter by cause, time commitment, or location. You might just find an opportunity that changes how you see leadership altogether.

And if board membership doesn’t feel quite right for you, there are countless other ways to give your time and skills. Charities and community organisations are always looking for volunteers, mentors, and advisors; roles that make a real difference without the same level of formal commitment.