The Sponsor Effect SM How We See It at American Express How We See It at American Express © American Express. All rights reserved.

Discussion Agenda  Why are we talking about this?  What is sponsorship, anyway?  How do you get it?  What’s it like when it’s working? © American Express. All rights reserved.

The Advent of Sponsorship at American Express Why we’re talking about Sponsorship…  Strong gender mix  Organization structure changes  Senior female departures  Lowest gender balance at very top  Culture of relationship & results  New opportunities  Focus on retention & advancement  … The Sponsor Effect SM © American Express. All rights reserved.

There is a difference Mentor  Requested, time-bound relationship  Career advice & guidance Advocate  Earned, based on performance / knowledge of your work  Can be peer, subordinate or superior  Speak on your behalf, addressing your career interests Sponsor  The “ultimate goal”  Can influence the course of your career © American Express. All rights reserved.

Sponsorship &The Sponsor Effect SM Sponsorship & The Sponsor Effect SM Sponsorship  Is a critical relationship that impacts your career  Is earned  Is different from mentoring & coaching  Must be nurtured & sustained –“The Maintenance Factor” The Sponsor Effect SM  Is the impact of sponsorship on your career  Results in the positive or negative outcomes of having or not having a sponsor  Is often a determining factor for the advancement & retention of diverse talent © American Express. All rights reserved.

Sponsorship &The Sponsor Effect SM Sponsorship & The Sponsor Effect SM  How many of you believe you have a sponsor?  More than one?  How many are just not sure?  If you have a sponsor, what does he/she do for you?  If you do not currently have a sponsor, what do you believe a sponsor could do for you? By show of hands… Discussion… © American Express. All rights reserved.

Sponsorship &The Sponsor Effect SM Sponsorship & The Sponsor Effect SM Sponsorship is a critical relationship that impacts your advancement & retention.  Within your company/organization/group  Always more senior in hierarchy  A credible voice of authority  A decision maker  Present at the talent table/discussion; able to influence decisions about your career  An organically grown relation  Willing to ride his/her reputation alongside yours  Willing to take a risk on you; believe in you before you do  Often willing to give you a job when you really need one! A Sponsor is… © American Express. All rights reserved.

Sounds good…how do I get it? By show of hands…  What can you do to earn sponsorship?  Talk about what you believe are potential pathways to sponsorship. © American Express. All rights reserved.

Be Good Be Visible Be Consistent Showcase Skills Highlight Capabilities Demonstrate Potential Display Performance Exceed Expectations …People leaders are not sponsors for all their direct reports– nor should they be! Sponsorship is earned, nurtured and sustained over time. In its early stages, we may not know we have a sponsor; over time a deeper, more meaningful relationship evolves. ©Copyright PNG-AAA 2007www.png-oz-alumni.org.pg/newsletters.htmlwww.png-oz-alumni.org.pg/newsletters.html Earning Sponsorship Sponsorship begins with demonstrating and delivering results. © American Express. All rights reserved.

The Power of Sponsorship When it Works Both the sponsor and the sponsored talent take action and ownership to foster a strong relationship. Sponsor  Believes in you  Offers support  Makes connections/provides access  Opens doors/expands network  Has courageous conversations  Gives a vote of confidence  Creates opportunity  Gives air cover Sponsored Talent  Delivers results  Works hardest for sponsor  Makes Sponsor look good  Keeps Sponsor in the loop – highlights work/celebrates wins & shares challenges  Prioritizes the relationship Sponsorship Relationship  Weighty: shared responsibility & accountability  Generous: patience, time, goodwill  Committed: loyalty & obligation  High Expectations: outcomes with risk & reward …Effective sponsorship delivers tangible outputs – real-time talent management, career advancement, a more inclusive leadership culture, top talent retention! © American Express. All rights reserved.