I’m lucky that I was taught about Career Sponsorship in the early days of my career.
A Career Sponsor is someone senior who uses their credibility, influence, and power to open doors for you.
Not only they guide you, but they also use their power to advocate for you.
Examples:
🫴 They recommend you for critical projects.
🫴 They put your name forward for promotions.
🫴 They defend you in rooms you’re not in.
🫴 They take risks on you.
And… you can’t really find one.
You have to earn one.
You need to identify a person of power and influence in your workplace who values your work ethic and owns opportunities you want.
And yes, this person can absolutely be your direct boss.
Then, show them your consistency, good attitude, and results.
Remember, sponsors choose people who make them look good for supporting the right talent.
Because when you make someone’s life easier, they naturally start advocating for you.
So, if you’re feeling stuck in your career, perhaps you want to look at your ecosystem.
Yes, skills get you noticed and performance keeps you relevant. But career sponsors can accelerate your career.
Plan your career smarter.
Think about it.
xoxoxo
