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Successful employees often have one thing in common — an individual who supports them in their professional journey. Whether you call that person a mentor, sponsor, or coach, the more significant presence they have had in your career, the more successful you’re likely to be.
They advocate for you, help you make introductions to the right people, put your name forward for the most challenging and rewarding assignments, and most importantly, share their years of wisdom and knowledge with you.
As a result, employees who are supported by a mentor or a sponsor ascend the career ladder faster and also contribute to organizational success.
Despite the profound impact a mentor can have on an individual’s professional success, only 37% of people have one during their career.
Let’s explore what mentors and sponsors are, how they can help nurture career growth, and how leaders can foster effective mentor-sponsor relationships at their organizations.
Mentor vs. Sponsor: What do these terms mean?
Both mentorship and sponsorship are invaluable for individuals seeking growth, and they bring substantial benefits to organizations.
Mentorship involves a more experienced individual providing guidance and support to a less experienced one. It’s like having a trusted navigator on your career journey who not only helps mentees make sense of the complexities of their roles and industries but also offers insights and shares wisdom.
Think of Warren Buffet and Bill Gates. Warren Buffett and Bill Gates first met in 1991 and struck up a close friendship. Buffett became a mentor to Gates, offering him valuable advice on business and investing. Gates has spoken highly of Buffett's influence on his thinking and decision-making, particularly in matters related to philanthropy and long-term planning. The relationship between Buffett and Gates exemplifies how mentoring can have a profound impact on an individual's success as well as personal and professional development.
Sponsorship, on the other hand, goes a step further. It’s when a senior professional actively champions and advocates for the career advancement of a more junior colleague. Sponsors use their influence to provide high-visibility opportunities and promote their protégés within the organization. Think Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Phil.
Oprah discovered Dr. Phil in the late 90s when he was working as a trial consultant and invited him to appear on her talk show. His appearance was a huge success, and Oprah recognized his potential as a television personality. She subsequently offered him a regular segment on her show, which later led to the creation of his own show, "Dr. Phil." Oprah's sponsorship of Dr. Phil extended beyond just providing him with a platform on her show. She also became an executive producer of his show and played a significant role in its development and success.
In essence, while both mentorship and sponsorship offer critical support, mentorship aims to enrich an individual's skills and knowledge, while sponsorship is geared toward accelerating one's career trajectory within the organization.
These two roles, when combined effectively, can be instrumental in an individual's professional journey, ensuring both personal development and strategic career advancement.
Mentorship: A tool for nurturing professional growth
Can you guess what Socrates, Oprah Winfrey, and Harry Potter have in common?
They all have mentors. Plato, Barbara Walters, and Professor Dumbledore respectively.
Most successful people we know today had mentors along the way who guided and encouraged them, showed them the ropes, and served as beacons of wisdom and experience for them.
And in today’s ever-evolving landscape of careers, having a mentor has become more important than ever before. The highly complex and dynamic environment that we live in has left traditional methods of learning and skill development ineffective. To accelerate the learning curve, you need the support of a seasoned individual who can equip you with the insights, perspectives, and knowledge that they have gained over the years.
Consider the example of Walter Cronkite. He was mentored by his high school teacher, Fred Birney, during his early years in the industry. Fred not only used his connections to help Walter secure his first job but also taught him journalistic integrity. Walter went on to be known as “the most trusted man in America.”
The relationship that Walter had with his mentor was truly transformational. Building this kind of mentee-mentor relationship is not an overnight feat, it’s a journey. The key is to approach this endeavor with humility, a clear understanding of your goals, and a shared commitment to growth.
Sponsorship: An avenue for career advancement
Building a high-impact career is not just about what you know; it’s also about who knows you. The catalyst for this transformation is sponsorship.
A sponsor is not merely a mentor. They are the advocates, endorsers, and champions of your professional trajectory. Unlike mentors who offer guidance and advice, sponsors take an active role in your advancement.
Sponsors often identify high-potential individuals and provide them with stretch assignments or high-visibility projects. They actively recommend protégés for promotions, ensuring that their talent doesn't go unnoticed.
This advocacy isn't just about personal goodwill — it's a strategic investment in talent, aligning individual success with organizational objectives.
One of the famous sponsor-protégé examples is Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Facebook, and Lawrence Summers. Sandberg met Professor Summers at Harvard, who became her thesis adviser. He recruited her as a research assistant at the World Bank, and when he became the Secretary of the Treasury, Sandberg was promoted to his chief of staff. Sheryl Sandberg went on to become one of the most powerful women in business today and often cites Summers’ support in her career.
Sponsorship is a game-changer for all talent. However, just like any other professional relationship, it is important to approach it smartly.
Network strategically, not only with potential sponsors but also with peers and colleagues who can vouch for your competence. Establish your personal brand by consistently delivering exceptional results. Once you've identified a potential sponsor, approach them with a clear value proposition—articulate how your success aligns with their objectives and the organization's goals. And most importantly, sustain the relationship through regular communication and demonstrating your commitment to growth.
7 key differences between mentors and sponsors
While both mentorship and sponsorship play pivotal roles in advancing careers, they have distinct goals, relationship dynamics, and benefits for individuals and businesses.
Let's take a closer look at these differences to better understand how mentorship and sponsorship each bring their own unique value to the table.
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5 tips for building and nurturing mentor-sponsor relationships
Mentorship and sponsorships are great conduits for growth. However, in order to be truly transformational, these relationships require an equal amount of work from both the mentee or protégé and the mentor or sponsor.
Here are five tips that can help you build and nurture effective mentor-sponsor relationships at your organization.
1. Set clear expectations from the start
Start by setting clear expectations for both mentors and mentees or sponsors and protégés. Define the scope of the relationship, goals, and anticipated outcomes. When everyone understands what to expect, the relationship can be more productive.
For example, if a mentee in the learning and development department is looking to enhance their e-learning design skills, the mentor should know this upfront.
2. Seek strategic alignment
Invest time in matching mentors or sponsors with mentees or protégés. Consider their skills, expertise, and career aspirations to ensure compatibility. Also, think about what each party can bring to the table and how the alignment adds value to the business.
3. Provide a clear roadmap
Provide a framework or structure for the mentorship or sponsorship relationship. This could include setting specific learning objectives, designing development plans, measuring progress, and defining feedback mechanisms.
Leveraging mentorship software like Together can help formalize mentor-sponsor relationships by streamlining resource access, progress tracking, and feedback collection. As a result, the relationship remains focused, goal-oriented, and effective for both the individuals and the organization as a whole.
4. Create a feedback loop
Gathering feedback helps mentors/sponsors and mentees/protégés stay on track, figure out what’s working and what needs improvement, and offer tailored support for improved results.
Schedule periodic check-ins with both mentors/sponsors and mentees/protégés to gauge ongoing satisfaction and identify any emerging issues. Anonymous surveys are also great for encouraging honest responses, particularly if participants are hesitant to express concerns openly.
5. Don’t limit yourself
We tend to divide people into two groups: mentors and mentees. But in today’s fairly dynamic environment, novel solutions are as valuable as past lessons and experiences. Therefore, don’t treat mentorship or sponsorship as a one-way street. They are not just about receiving guidance; they also offer opportunities for giving back.
As a learning and development leader, your goal should be to create a culture of learning and mentorship within your organization. Encourage individuals who have benefitted from mentorship or sponsorship to pay it forward and create a positive ripple effect.
Map out employee career paths with Together
Mentors and sponsors are the indispensable allies that one should have to build a high-impact career. They provide invaluable knowledge, wisdom, and guidance while making sure that your talents are recognized and rewarded.
So, if you want to accelerate career growth or build a culture of learning and support within your organization, encourage people to proactively seek out mentors and sponsors. These relationships can be found within your organization, industry networks, or professional associations.
Once you have found the right mentor-mentee or sponsor-protege match, foster it with a mutual commitment to learn, grow, and excel together.
