31. You Need a Career Sponsor

Your work alone will not always speak for itself. To advance at work, you’ll need someone to advocate for you—a career sponsor. The difference between mentorship and sponsorship: A mentor speaks to you and a sponsor speaks about you. What makes someone a potential sponsor for you? They are in the room where decisions happen, they have power to make decisions, they know about your work, and they are willing to spend their political capital on you. This episode provides tips for how to find a sponsor, how you might ask someone to be a sponsor for you, and why you should sponsor others when you are in the position to do so. Your One Bold Move: Consider who in your worklife could serve as a sponsor for you. Reach out to have a conversation with them about your career goals and ask if they would be willing to advocate for you. For more leadership and career advice like this sent directly to your inbox, text SHANNA to 66866.