Since 2011 I’ve been presenting on the “sponsor effect” and “executive presence”. All of the presentations are based on the work of Dr. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Economist and founding President of the Center for Talent Innovation. Dr. Hewett in her writing and speaking effectively “names” and shines a light on how sponsor relationships can dramatically impact your career trajectory. I’ve found Dr. Hewlett’s work to be directly applicable to higher education and careers in student affairs. Sponsoring outstanding professionals is one of the fastest ways to positively impact our field and our outcomes. Sponsors like mentors have always been here. Looking back I now recognize many instances of sponsorship in my career and feel very grateful for the opportunities I was provided. Hewlett has “named” these actions and differentiated them from mentoring in a very meaningful way. She also writes specifically about women and professionals of color and the impact of sponsorship can have on their career. I’ve provided some highlights and some hyperlinks to Dr. Hewlett’s writing and research to get you started.
Some highlights:
“Women are over mentored and under sponsored.”
“Mentors give, sponsors invest.”
“Sponsors choose you and sponsorship begins with excellent work.”
Additionally her work provides important insights on:
- how sponsors can fast-track your career
- how mentors and sponsors differ
- the value and importance of executive presence
- how to avoid sponsorship tripwires and backlash
- sponsor expectations
- 2+1 rule for sponsors
- the value of real feedback
My presentations typically include guest stars from student affairs who share personal stories about the impact of sponsors on their career as well as how they choose professionals to sponsor. Recently, Dr. Laura Wankel, Mr. Pa
trick Day and Dr. Shaun Harper provided powerful insights from their careers at our session at NASPA West in Salt Lake City. As always I’m happy to chat with you about maximizing your career in higher education and I’ll be continuing to present on the Sponsor Effect and Executive Presence at conferences and workshops nationally.
Learn more now:
Dr. Sylvia Hewlett -bio
The Sponsor Effect: Breaking through the Last Glass Ceiling
(Forget a Mentor) Find A Sponsor by Sylvia Ann Hewlett
Executive Presence –Watch for Dr. Hewlett’s new book out in March 2014 on this topic
Twitter: @sylviahewlett
Harvard Business Review articles– This series is outstanding!
Wishing you all a wonderful 2014! Let me know what you think…
Do you have a sponsor(s)? How have you sponsored others? Do others see your great work? How will you increase your visibility this year?
Friends & Heroes 
Teri – thanks for continuing to emphasize the importance of sponsorship. I know that since you began inspiring this dialogue in student affairs circles it has changed the way I have interacted on behalf of some great people in our field. The “mentoring” tag never really fit with those type of activities and giving it identification helped to remind me of its importance!
Thanks Cindy! One of the fastest ways to improve a situation is to add talent-we all have the power to invite & include. Thanks for using your power! T
great stuff Teri.
Thanks Jeff!
Thank you, Teri! I know I have benefited tremendously from learning about sponsorship from you. It’s a light switch – when you learn what it is you reflect back on experiences and realize where it has been happening. Knowing what it looks like and how to foster those relationships when you are sponsored is so critical. All of us have opportunities to sponsor outstanding professionals around us – for example, when an opportunity comes up for a committee appointment or selections are being made for volunteer roles. Both of those are moments where I find I can vocalize meeting someone’s strong work performance and career interests with an opportunity to help them shine. Thank you for making this such an important conversation and action item in student affairs.
Well said Renee & so true. We all have the power to sponsor others. We need to actively identify outstanding contributers and provide them with stretch assignments, introductions & the recognition they deserve. .
I had never heard of sponsorship until you initiated the conversation. I am enjoying viewing the world through a new lens. Watching those around me be sponsored, recognizing sponsorship in my career, and trying out sponsorship for others the Anne way! Now that I know about it, step two is being more intentional about paying it forward. Thank you for making a difference for so many!
I would love to chat with you about this in more detail, Teri.
Hi Kate- I’m snowed in at Notre Dame- was suppose to be chatting Strengths Based Leadership at Rollins College in FL but no flights…call me anytime. I will DM you my phone number.
Thx Anne- you are an inspiration-love how you operationalize new ideas!
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