Ania Lichota – Get to know our VAB member
We are pleased to introduce you to our member Ania Lichota who joins VAB from the UK. For the last 12 years she has been working as an executive coach and mentor sharing insights from her experience as a top-level executive, extreme adventurer (7 Summits climber, ultramarathons), author and philanthropist to guide executives through unprecedented self-reflective journeys. Prior to being a coach, Ania served as chair of the Polish Psychologists Association, owned a charity, was an executive director at USB Investment Bank, and held the role of COO, commercial director, M&A integration lead at GE Capital. Ania has had a very productive, diverse career journey and we invite you to reach out to her to learn more about her plans for her future board journey.
What inspired you to become a member of the Virtual Advisory Board community?
I joined VAB because of my love of sharing, networking with purpose, and interest in progressing with my own career journey. I believe that my involvement with this community can help me move forward in my board skills development.
In what area do you feel board advisors can add the most value for Boards of Directors (BoDs) and executive teams?
Advisors can help board directors and ELTs move beyond specific concerns and elevate conversations so more and better options are available. I believe advisors play a key role in cultivating a culture of fearlessness, curiosity and co-creation. It’s generally a matter of willingness to engage in candid discussions and to explore different perspectives. Personally, I add value to boards by guiding them in driving the businesses forward, adopting systems thinking and helping mature their leaders. I am passionate about vertical mindset growth and am fluent in reading the room, people and invisible dynamics and translating all that into actions to better serve the whole.
What would be your dream company/organisation to work with as a board advisor/NED?
I would love to work with leaders in a business focused on sustainability or energy and aid them in expanding their purpose. I am interested in board roles where I can help guide a turnaround or help with integration of a new organisation, technology or paradigm.
What book or podcast would you recommend to VAB members that might improve their skills in corporate governance, board advisory or boosting board-to-executive team communications?
The book I recommend is The Gene Keys by Richard Rudd; it has the capacity to expand our sense of leadership and move the reader along from ego- to eco-based being.
