Attract the Advocacy of Influential Sponsors With Jo Miller

Senior Engineer, Knee Product Development Joint Replacement Vivienne Clayton Senior Engineer, Knee Product Development Joint Replacement

Women’s Leadership Speaker Founding Editor of BeLeaderly.com Jo Miller Women’s Leadership Speaker Founding Editor of BeLeaderly.com

I have some unique koalafications

Are you the best kept secret in the organization? Are you the best kept secret in your organization?

In This Session The difference between mentors and sponsors Making the most of mentoring Attracting the advocacy of influential sponsors Sponsoring others

“There is a special kind of relationship—called sponsorship—in which the mentor goes beyond giving feedback and advice and uses his or her influence with senior executives to advocate for the mentee. Our interviews and surveys alike suggest that high-potential women are overmentored and undersponsored relative to their male peers—and that they are not advancing in their organizations.” — Why men still get more promotions than women by Herminia Ibarra, Nancy M. Carter and Christine Silva, Harvard Business Review

“A sponsor is someone who will use their internal political and social capital to move your career forward within an organization. Behind closed doors, they will argue your case.” — Cindy Kent, GM, 3M.

“A sponsor believes in you and pushes you to reach your potential. They instill confidence in you, and encourage you to acknowledge and embrace that potential.” — Julie Muller Neff, EVP, SMACNA Western Washington

“Four U.S.-based and global studies clearly show that sponsorship — not mentorship — is how power is transferred in the workplace.” Why You Need A Sponsor — Not A Mentor — To Fast-Track Your Career, Jenna Goudreau. Business Insider.

What’s the difference between mentors and sponsors?

EARLY CAREER Enlist mentors. MID-LEVEL Diversify mentors, attract sponsors, cultivate peer advocates. SENIOR-LEVEL Be a mentor and a sponsor. Bonus: Foster a culture of mentorship and sponsorship.

This presentation is available at BeLeaderly.com/kneepd

Making the Most of Mentoring

4 S’s of Mentoring Successes Stories Situations Self-awareness Skill-building

“A sponsor is a person with a seat at the decision-making table who will throw your name out for coveted assignments or promotion opportunities.” — Amanda Martinez, Group Vice President of Corporate Procurement, Albertsons.

Show of hands: Which statement best describes your situation? I’ve never had a sponsor I think I may have had a sponsor I’ve definitely had at least one sponsor I’ve been sponsored and have sponsored others

The Sponsor Effect, Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin and Sumberg, 2011. Only _____ % of women and _____ % of men employed in large companies have a sponsor. 13 19 The Sponsor Effect, Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin and Sumberg, 2011.

Women who have sponsors are at least _____% more likely to ask for stretch assignments and raises. Men and women feel more satisfied with their career advancement when they have sponsors. 22 Ambitious women underestimate the difference sponsorship can make. The Sponsor Effect, Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin and Sumberg, 2011.

“… having an active advocate completely changes your career.” — Kerrie Peraino, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer, American Express.

Qualities of a Good Sponsor

“A sponsor does not have to be an executive, but they do need to have influence.” — Millette Granville, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Delhaize Group.

“Are all your advocates in the management chain directly above you “Are all your advocates in the management chain directly above you? I recommend that everyone have three to four advocates outside of their direct management chain.” — Michelle Johnston Holthaus, GM, Channel Platforms and Strategy Division, Intel.

So… how do I get a sponsor?

— Sponsoring Women to Success, Catalyst. There is no “silver bullet” for attracting the attention of a high-level sponsor. — Sponsoring Women to Success, Catalyst.

Attracting the Advocacy of Influential Sponsors

8. Perform!

7. Find out who the good sponsors are. 6. Observe the protocols: How does sponsorship work in the culture of your organization?

5. Network beyond your immediate workplace and management chain.

4. Raise your hand for exposure opportunities to work with or for potential sponsors.

3. Make your value visible.

2. Have clear career goals.

1. Share your goals with leaders.

Attracting the Advocacy of Influential Sponsors 8. Perform! 7. Find out who the good sponsors are. 6. Observe the protocols: How does sponsorship work in the culture of your organization? 5. Network beyond your immediate workplace and management chain. 4. Raise your hand for exposure opportunities to work with or for potential sponsors. 3. Make your value visible. 2. Have clear career goal. 1. Share your goals with leaders.

Have you sponsored others? How did the sponsorship start? How did the sponsor help you? Why did you choose to sponsor them? How did you help them?

What does it take to be a good sponsor to others? How did the sponsorship start? How did the sponsor help you? It’s NOT about favoritism! Recognize your own biases. Be equitable and diverse in who you choose to sponsor. Get involved in your company’s “high potential” program, diversity initiatives, & talent initiatives. Be open about what it takes for you to sponsor someone. Talk with other leaders: “Who are our high potentials?” Give your protégés opportunities to prove their talent to you and other leaders.

In This Session The difference between mentors and sponsors Making the most of mentoring Attracting the advocacy of influential sponsors Sponsoring others

Q & A

What action will you take? How did the sponsorship start? How did the sponsor help you?

Ready to lead, climb and thrive? Sign up for my newsletter. This presentation is available at BeLeaderly.com/kneepd

“Sponsorship can come to you in different ways “Sponsorship can come to you in different ways. You never know who is watching you, so be “sponsor-ready” at all times. Millette Granville, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Delhaize Group