BRX Pro Tip: Mentorship vs Sponsorship
Stone Payton: Welcome back to Business RadioX Pro Tips, Stone Payton and Lee Kantor here with you. Lee, how would you characterize the distinction between mentorship and sponsorship?
Lee Kantor: I think that these are two important things, especially people that are in kind of larger organizations and enterprise level businesses. Having a mentor is super important when you’re starting your career, but having sponsorship is so much more important and more impactful, and that’s what’s really going to move the needle in your career trajectory.
Lee Kantor: So, both of them help you grow, but they do it in very different ways. A mentor is more like your advisor. They’re somebody who’s sharing knowledge, they’re offering feedback, and they’re kind of a guide to help you develop whatever skills you need in order to get the career. They’re going to let you know. They might open some doors for you. They might let you know of opportunities. They’re going to build your confidence because you’re going to have somebody that’s kind of watching your back and then guiding you through the terrain of whatever the politics of your situation. And they’re going to help you make better decisions because they’re going to let you know because they’re a little ahead of you.
Lee Kantor: A sponsor, though, on the other hand, is your advocate. So, sponsors are usually a senior leader who is going to put some political capital on the line and use their influence to actively promote you. They’re going to recommend you for a key opportunity. They’re going to put their reputation on the line to help you advance. That is where the difference is made. They’re going to open doors that might otherwise stay closed, especially when it comes to a promotion or a high visibility project.
Lee Kantor: So, you need both of them on your journey. Mentors are going to help you prepare for opportunities and sponsors are going to help you get them. So, you have to seek out each of those relationships intentionally. Mentors for guidance, sponsors for advocacy, and if you do that wisely, your career will accelerate dramatically.
