I’ve seen two people walk into an organization at the same time with the same talent, the same work ethic, and the same hunger to lead.
Five years later?
One is on the executive track.
The other is frustrated, underpaid, and invisible.
What made the difference?
It wasn’t just hard work. It wasn’t more degrees, longer hours, or nicer suits.
It was sponsorship.
And if you don’t understand this word—and leverage it—you could be unknowingly holding your career back.
What Is Sponsorship (and Why It Matters)?
Let’s be clear: Sponsorship is not mentorship.
- A mentor gives you advice and insight.
- A sponsor gives you access and opportunity.
Sponsors are senior executives who put their political capital on the line to open doors for you, speak your name in rooms you’re not in, and make sure your work gets the visibility it deserves.
They leverage their power for YOUR benefit.
They don’t just guide your career—they accelerate it.
Why Talented Leaders Stall
You can be exceptional and still invisible.
Especially if you come from a historically excluded group—Black, brown, LGBTQ+, women, first-gen professionals—chances are, no one told you how the game is really played.
And the truth is, careers don’t rise on talent alone.
They rise when someone with power says, “Put them on that project.” “Give them the shot.” “I’ll vouch for them.”
If you don’t have a sponsor doing that for you, your career will stall while others skip the line.
Strategic Sponsorship: How to Attract the Right Advocates
Here are four keys to building real sponsorship—without selling out or sucking up:
1. Serve Them Before You Seek Sponsorship
Before asking an executive for anything, ensure you’ve added value first. Here’s how:
- Amplify Their MissionShare their content, celebrate their wins, or mention their work in your posts. Show them you’re paying attention and aligned with their purpose.
- Add Value with No Strings AttachedSend a helpful article, introduce them to someone useful, or offer insight on something they care about—without asking for anything in return.
- Support Their TeamEngage with their staff, attend their initiatives, or highlight their team’s work. Lifting their people shows respect for their leadership.
Sponsorship follows service. Start by showing up to serve.
2. Be Brilliant in Public
Private excellence isn’t enough. Your results have to be visible to the people who make decisions.
- Speak up in meetings.
- Share your wins strategically.
- Take ownership of impact—not just effort.
Sponsors choose people they know can deliver. Show them you can.
3. Position Yourself Around Power
You don’t need to be in the C-suite to be on the radar of power players.
Look for ways to:
- Collaborate on cross-functional projects
- Volunteer for high-impact assignments
- Attend the meetings where decisions are made
Get in the rooms where your work gets noticed.
3. Ask for Advocacy (Yes, Really)
You don’t beg for sponsorship. You earn it—and then ask for it clearly and respectfully.
Try this:
“I admire the way you’ve elevated leaders on your team. I’d love your advice on how I can grow here—and if possible, your advocacy when the right opportunity comes up.”
That’s how sponsorship starts—with intentionality.
Final Word
You don’t need to know every answer to rise.
You don’t need to have every credential.
But you do need someone with power to say your name when it counts.
If you want to go far, go with a sponsor.
Not just someone who sees your potential—but someone who’s willing to stake their reputation on it.
That’s how careers move. That’s how doors open. That’s how you rise.
Free Resource:
“Sponsorship Strategy Map”
The 1-Page Career Acceleration Tool You Didn’t Know You Needed
This downloadable worksheet helps you:
✅ Identify potential sponsors in your current ecosystem
✅ Assess your current visibility and value positioning
✅ Script your first sponsor outreach conversation
✅ Track your sponsorship network over time
