- How did having a mentor or sponsor help you in your career?
- if you are in a field that is male-dominated, mentors and sponsors can help you navigate the organization/field and advance more quickly
- they can recognize your value and what you have to offer (when you might not realize it yourself) and recommend you for a new role
- if you are in a remote location, they can help you build critical relationships so you are not “out of sight, out of mind” and can still advance your career
- they can provide an ongoing, outside perspective to you as your career evolves and your goals change
- What was an effective sponsor/mentor relationship?
- when they are not only focused on your work/career but also have invested the time to get to know you personally
- when you execute/follow through on their advice, directions and recommendations; you are validating their decision to mentor or sponsor you
- when you “earn” their sponsorship so that they feel good about advocating and going to bat for you
- when you can create a “win-win” situation where both parties benefit
- when you approach it strategically and intentionally – knowing what you want out of the relationship
- When did a mentor/sponsor relationship NOT work do well?
- when there is no “chemistry”, or some common denominator (other than work) to make it valuable for both parties
- when you haven’t some “homework” on your sponsor/mentor so you can understand how you can add value to the relationship and reciprocate
- when you are unclear on your goals for the relationship
- women tend to do well up to a certain point in their careers and thy they “fall off” because they don’t have the critical sponsorship that men do to further advance
- a sponsor who goes put on a limb to support you can push you to a level higher than you might have achieved without them
- you need to “interview” your sponsors; how do they advance others, what is their track record?
- mentoring doesn’t need to be formal; you can ask for advice and support for many things; for example how to approach a specific situation, build a skill, gain perspective outside your department
- you need multiple mentors: this is your developmental network of people to seek advice and feedback from
- be sure to recruit multiple sponsors and from outside your company, because if they leave the company that could impact your career
- choose people you admire and want to be like
- make sure you are response to your mentor’s or sponsor’s requests; follow through on any advice they give or recommendations they may make
- if your company reorganizes learn about the new leaders; who are they, how can you build relationships with them, what do you have to offer them?
- let potential sponsors see your value, what you can do. It’s not about developing your skills (like a mentor relationship); it’s about being really good at your job and about what you can contribute to the company
- BE BOLD! To recruit a sponsor you need to believe in yourself, sell yourself, do it for you!!