Find a Sponsor

Finding a Sponsor

In a previous posting, I’ve written about the differences between mentors and sponsors. To sum up that posting, mentors generally serve as sounding boards, providing advice, insights and direction when requested. Sponsors, on the other hand, actively advocate on their protégé’s behalf. Sponsors keeps their eyes and hears open for opportunities that might help a protégé make a big career leap, and those same sponsors put their necks on the line by pushing for their protégés advancement.

I was reminded of this previous posting Sunday morning when I came across “Mentors Are Good. Sponsors Are Better,” in the New York Times. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, founding president and CEO of the Center for Talent Innovation and author of soon-to-be-published, “Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor,” writes that sponsors are particularly critical for women who wish to “escape the ‘marzipan layer,’ that sticky middle slice of management where so many driven and talented women languish.”

Going head to head with Sheryl Sandburg, Facebook’s COO and recent author of Lean In, Hewlett argues that it’s not enough for women workers to put their self-doubt to the side and make a wild grab for the brass ring. Rather, Hewlett writes, “A woman needs someone to lean in with her.”  

What’s the lesson for interns, summer associates and new hires? When you're starting work, in fact, before you set your foot inside an office, start looking for the movers and the shakers within an organization, the people who command others’ attention and respect. Then, slowly but surely commit to building relationships with these people.   

The truth is no one sponsors a protégé in the absence of trust—a belief that the protégé will make both himself or herself as well as the sponsor look good—and trust doesn’t develop overnight. After investing years providing proven performance, you may find your career skyrockets when a one-time manager suddenly becomes your vocal sponsor.   

To read Hewlett's column, click here: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/jobs/sponsors-seen-as-crucial-for-womens-career-advancement.html?ref=jobs 

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When starting work, finding the right sponsor is a critical success factor.

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