We’ve long heard that success is not about what you know, but who you know. That’s partially true. Who you know only matters if you are leveraging those relationships to facilitate your growth.
Whether you are a professional looking for new opportunities or a business owner looking to expand your client base, connecting with influential leaders who are invested in your advancement is essential to your professional development. Relationships with mentors and sponsors can catapult your growth and significantly decrease your learning curve. Let’s discuss the difference between the two roles and why it’s important to have both in your life to achieve optimal success.
SPONSORSHIP VS MENTORSHIP
A sponsor is invested in helping you gain visibility and exposure for the specific purpose of getting you involved in new projects, roles, or business opportunities. They mention your names in rooms that you have not yet been invited to and highlight how your talent can contribute to upcoming or current projects.
A mentor is someone who offers professional support and advice. They may mentor you on things specific to your career, such as how to improve your skills or provide feedback on projects. They can also provide more generalized guidance to facilitate career growth for entry level professionals.
FINDING SPONSORS AND MENTORS
Although the workplace is probably the easiest and most common place to find mentors and sponsors, it’s not necessarily the best place. Mentorship and sponsorship should be considered as long-term relationships. With the current environment of right-to-work, constant layoffs, restructuring, and an overall unstable economy, today’s professional does not have the luxury of longevity that was offered to Boomers and other previous generations.
Instead, join national organizations in your field and attend local networking events. Volunteer with nonprofits, join church ministries, and ask friends for introductions to the professionals in their circles.
SOLIDIFYING SPONSORS AND MENTORS
Before you approach a professional about sponsorship or mentorship, be clear about what you want and how you think they can help you. You should also have some ideas of how you can help them based on what you know about their work. There is a chance that they may not need your help at all, but being proactive about the value you can bring to them will only help your chances of solidifying that relationship.
Asking directly for sponsorship or mentorship should not feel tricky or uncomfortable. If it does, that could be a sign that this is not the right person to mentor or sponsor you. These relationships can also involve some constructive criticism, so make sure these are people whose feedback you value and are willing to take seriously.
To get started, request a meeting with them and be prepared to pitch your idea for sponsorship or mentorship. If you have a brag book or portfolio, be prepared to share that, along with an updated resume. Have a plan for your career goals in the next 1 to 5 years, and talk about how you see them being able to support you as a sponsor or mentor, making sure to include examples of how their support thus far has already contributed to your growth.
Use these tips to secure your seat at the table in 2025!
