How Do I Find a Sponsor?

Sponsors can be a great way to “have an edge” in the workplace. A sponsor can properly champion you in your workplace which is often something that a mentor cannot do (as they are not in a position to do so). Like a mentor, a sponsor can advise you, but their primary role is to develop you and prime you for promotion by helping develop the skills you need. Sponsors take positive action and help you up the ladder opening doors to opportunities.

Sounds great. But how do you find one?

Well, let’s start by working out the right sponsor for you…

01 Identify the right sponsor

The right sponsor is someone who can help you achieve your career goals (and are in a position to do so). This might be by helping you open doors to new opportunities, it might be connecting you with people in their network and might be putting you forward internally, or having your back and providing back-up to help you push your ideas forward.

Identifying the right sponsor will be based on what you want to achieve.

02 Identify your potential sponsors

Often the best person to be your sponsor will be your boss/line manager or someone that you work with at the same level as your boss or line manager that is involved enough in your day to day job. Alternatively, if they do not have sufficient power to make changes and/or help you progress, you may have to be thinking of the level above your boss.

If there is no natural stand out winner – review the potential pool of sponsors – Out of those people identified whose has a similar working style to you or similar values

03 Reach out

must like you would do when looking for a mentor – reach out to ask for a one-to-one. This will enable you to test the waters to investigate whether the goals and value of the person align with your own and whether they will be a good fit. If they are – ask the question.

04 Ask for a regular catch up

Assuming they are willing to take the relationship forward – ask them for a regular meeting or check in. For a relationship to build and develop you need dedicated time to work on this and build up your symbiotic relationship with your sponsor.

If sponsorship is not something that they are willing to do, or they do not feel that they are in a position to do so – you may find that they are more willing to be a mentor. A mentoring relationship is still hugely beneficial and as you relationship grows you may find that your relationship ultimately becomes a sponsorship one.