In the office, it is essential to surround yourself with people who can support your professional well-being and growth. Whether in an informal or formal capacity, most people will be familiar with the advantages that having one or more mentors can bring. However, you may not be aware that in addition to having a mentor, another essential connection you should have to ensure your professional growth is a sponsor.
Read on to better understand this invaluable relationship and why you need one.
What is the difference between a workplace sponsor and a mentor?
A mentor is someone who supports your career learning through training and advice. Mentors can be formally designated through organizational mentorship programs, or informally through natural relationship-building. Mentor benefits include gaining insider information about the organization and role, improving your skills, building professional connections, and having a sounding board, particularly for sticky or challenging situations you may find yourself in.
In contrast, a sponsor is an advocate for your career advancement. The Academic Medicine journal (2019) defines a sponsor as “a person in an organization in a position of influence and power (with access to networks and resources) who actively supports the career of a “protégé” whom they have identified as having high potential” (full article). Therefore, sponsors typically are established in their careers, are professionally connected, and have the power to influence others. Sponsor benefits include creating industry connections, getting help in gaining leadership roles, and having a diversified support system.
How to get a workplace sponsor
Sponsors can be someone from your current job (e.g., a coworker or manager), or someone you know externally (e.g., someone you connected with on LinkedIn). Like gaining a mentor, you can develop a workplace sponsorship formally or informally. An informal sponsorship might arise once you identify someone who would be a good fit, connect with them, and allow your professional relationship to naturally develop into a sponsorship. Or, you can directly approach your prospective sponsor at the get-go and explicitly ask to build a sponsorship relationship.
Either approach is fine and poses its own benefits and challenges. For instance, waiting for sponsorship to naturally occur takes time, but establishes a foundation of trust and bonding. In contrast, directly approaching someone to ask for a sponsorship relationship without getting to know them more might result in a sponsor-protégé relationship that isn’t the best fit. And without a foundation of trust, and especially if you don’t know them well, the potential sponsor may decline your request entirely.
Regardless of how you gain a sponsor (organically or directly), you should first build yourself up to be seen as a ‘worthy’ protégé. Do the following to show your value:
- Be a good listener
- Be direct and communicative
- Show a willingness to learn
- Express a desire for career growth
- Gain leadership opportunities when possible
- Be a team player
- Be prepared to showcase your achievements and skills
How to maintain a workplace sponsor
Once a sponsorship relationship has been established, do the following:
- Establish expectations. Have a discussion about what you are looking for in a sponsorship. Are you hoping to gain advancement in a specific role? Do you have a set timeline? Is there something you hope your sponsor will say and/or do on your behalf? Does your sponsor have any boundaries regarding this dynamic? Be clear and direct to one another.
- Show gratitude. Throughout your sponsorship relationship, express appreciation. Thank them for the small and big things they do for you.
- Consider their advice. If your sponsor gives you advice, carefully consider it with an open mind to see where it might lead. Of course, use your own deductive reasoning and listen to your gut if their advice seems not to be the right fit for that specific circumstance.
- Evaluate as needed. All relationships develop over time. As your sponsorship-protégé relationship evolves, continue an open dialogue if either of you feels the dynamic is not serving the pair anymore. There is no shame in this! People are not always the best match for each other.
Final thoughts
Whether you are new in a role or established with an organization, building a support system is a great step to advancing your career. Taking time to develop sponsor relationships could pay off with big rewards in 2025!
