The Powerful Impact of Sponsorship in the Workplace

There is so much discussion of mentoring in the workplace that leaders may overlook the impact of sponsorship in the workplace. Sponsorship is when a leader makes an intentional investment in a high-potential team member and assigns this person a stretch role that benefits both the company and his or her overall career path.

I had the privilege of a great sponsor in my career. Several years ago, Stan, our much-loved company president, told me privately that he was preparing to retire within a year. I was the VP of marketing at the time, and that day I found out I would spend the next several months being trained-up to be viewed as his natural successor. Stan said, “When I retire, I want people to say, ‘It’s okay, Vicki’s here.’”

A Model Career Sponsorship

What followed was a classic career sponsorship. Stan immediately began to put me in highly visible situations and assigned me to lead challenging strategic initiatives. Where I had skills gaps, we closed them. Not only did Stan manage my work assignments, he advocated for my professional advancement and was a champion for me among colleagues and coworkers.

Mentorships versus Sponsorship

In contrast, mentorships are different. Whereas a mentor is someone you go to for guidance, he or she is generally not empowered to influence work assignments or speak on behalf of a mentee’s career advancement. One can be a mentor or a sponsor to another person at any level in a company. Everyone is mentorable, but not everyone is sponsorable—it depends on a person’s potential and willingness to learn.

The Business Case for Sponsorships

Workplace sponsorships can play a critical role in improving the financial results of a company and nurturing the development of diverse leadership teams. For women, in particular, sponsorships offer highly visible opportunities to stretch and grow. They recruit and prepare top talent, or “high-potentials,” into next-level positions when they may otherwise have remained on the sidelines.

For those looking to progress as leaders, sign on to initiatives that intrigue you, actively pursue a new position, or take on a stretch task where you can illustrate your skills. Have the confidence to step up, and you may very well fast-track your professional development.

For current leaders, embrace sponsorship as part of your workplace culture. Intentionally identify high-potentials and attentively nurture their development. And never forget—the most powerful words a person hears from his or her sponsor are, “I believe in you.”