How Mentorship and Sponsorship Can Accelerate Your Career

Take a moment and think back on your career to date. Is there a key person (or persons) that gave you a pivotal piece of advice, served as a sounding board at a critical time or helped you navigate organizational politics? What about a senior executive who took a particular interest in you and advocated successfully for your development? These individuals were likely mentors and sponsors – two crucial building blocks every leader needs to accelerate their career. 

Mentors are usually individuals ahead of you professionally and/or those that have mastered a specific skill or behavior for which you aspire. They willingly share their experiences with you regarding their own advancement and how they have navigated organizational written and unwritten rules. They share best practices and, when needed, give advice and open their professional networks to help and support you. 

Mentors can come from inside and outside of your organization. You can also have more than one at any given time. Likewise, some mentors will withstand the test of time serving as a sounding board throughout your career, while others will rotate in and out. The best mentoring relationships develop naturally and informally. Rapport and trust evolve over time

A sponsor is always a higher-level executive who uses his or her internal political and social capital to move your career forward within an organization. They can provide a safety net, allowing you to take more risks and shielding you from organizational change. Sponsors advocate for you when you’re not around, such as bringing your name up in high-level talent development and promotional discussions.

Sponsors look for opportunities for you and will stake their reputation on your behalf because they believe in you and your ability to be successful. Your success is also their success. Sponsorship is about power and how it’s transferred in the workplace. Some sponsors can also be mentors.

Here‘s an easy way to think about mentors versus sponsors:

• Mentors help you skill up. Sponsors help you move up. 
• A mentor will talk with you. A sponsor talks about you. 
• You can choose a mentor. A sponsor chooses you.

So, how do you get the right mentor, or attract an influential sponsor? Mentors are easier to acquire. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify what your goals are. Are you looking for general leadership experience and advice from someone you admire or respect? Do you have a specific skill you want to improve upon? Do you have clear goals? Clarity around the answers to these questions will inform the type of leader you are looking for.
2. Pay attention to the leaders around you. Who do you know or have access to that represents the qualities that you’re looking for? Make a short list and write down how you might approach them. Don’t forget to think about how you can leverage your contacts in order to connect.
3. Simply ask. Invite people on your target list out for coffee or lunch. Explain that you want to ask them about a specific subject, or to share their expertise with you. When you do connect, share your goals. We don’t recommend that you formally ask people to be your mentor. Instead, see if there’s a connection and allow the relationship to evolve. It has to be the right fit for both of you.
4. Keep the relationship alive. Productive mentoring relationships require ongoing attention and care, not to mention follow through. That’s on you. Be sure to stay attentive, demonstrate progress and follow up. 

With a sponsor, you must position yourself so that they discover you. Pay attention to who the good sponsors are; those that have influence, a credible reputation and track record. Raise your hand for exposure opportunities to make your value visible. Most importantly, you must perform. Remember, sponsors are staking their reputation on your ability to succeed. High performance will get you noticed; sustained performance will put you on the radar for sponsorship. 

The right mentors at the right time will accelerate your leadership growth and deepen your readiness. An influential sponsor in your corner will fast-track your advancement. It’s the power combination essential for leadership success.