How to Get Into the C-Suite: The Networking Secret No One Tells You | Grit in the Boardroom

Landing a Board seat isn't just about what you know. Learn how to bridge the gap between executive roles and the C-Suite using the "hidden" rules of networking.

Why do some executives stall while others glide into Non-Exec Director roles? This episode pulls back the curtain on how personal networks actually influence boardroom appointments.

What You’ll Learn

The transition from "Doing" to "Governing": A survival guide.

How to leverage your network without sounding desperate.

The specific skills modern boards are actually looking for in 2026.

Chapters 00:00 Being the Only Woman in the Room and Early Leadership Lessons 00:24 Welcome to Grit in the Boardroom and Corporate Governance Conversations 02:16 Emma Parry’s Global Career Journey to the C-Suite 03:33 Gender Diversity in Boardrooms and Company Culture Challenges 05:15 Getting the First NED Role and the Reality of Board Appointments 07:48 What Aspiring Directors Should Know About Non-Executive Director Roles 09:30 Skills Boards Really Value for Strategic Decision Making 11:18 Becoming an Expert Witness and the Importance of Risk Management 14:20 Building Powerful Networks and Growing Leadership Visibility 17:12 Breaking Closed Networks and Improving Corporate Governance Diversity 19:45 How Boards Can Build Greater Cognitive Diversity 22:04 The Catch-22 of Landing Your First Non-Executive Director Role 25:21 Reinventing Your Career and Building Business Resilience 27:12 Why Curiosity Is Essential for Better Boardroom Decisions 30:30 Ethics, Conduct and Lessons from Corporate Scandal 32:12 Practical Steps to Move Closer to the Boardroom and Leadership Presence 34:05 The Most Underrated Skill for Directors: Corporate Governance

About the guest

Guest Emma Parry, Founder & CEO of NovaFin Consulting Ltd, brings extensive experience advising leaders through organisational transformation and executive career development. Drawing on real management case studies, Emma shares insights on how senior leaders build trust, develop influence, and strengthen communication within complex governance environments.

About the host

Erika Eliasson-Norris is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Beyond Governance and Governance Assessor to the United Kingdom’s Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry.

Beyond Governance provides on-demand company secretarial support, governance advisory, and governance training to boards, Company Secretaries, and General Counsel. Beyond Governance help organisations strengthen governance, manage risk, and support critical projects without the need for permanent hires. Learn more here: https://beyondgovernance.com