mentors v sponsors: what, why, who & how?
DESCRIPTION
Mentors talk with you at lunch. Sponsors talk about you at lunch. Mentors get you ready for a promotion. Sponsors make it happen. I gave this talk at the Women Lawyers of Utah annual retreat in October 2013, including the exercises at the end done in pairs of people.TRANSCRIPT
WOMEN LAWYERS OF UTAHANNUAL RETREAT 2013
Mentors v SponsorsWhat, Why, Who & How!
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentors v Sponsorseither or?
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentors are . . .
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Sponsors are . . .
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentoring Relationships - types
Formal Mentoring Relationships Someone has responsibility for mentoring you Structured
Informal Mentoring Relationships Forms organically Often more effective
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentoring – perspectives. . .
Different Ways to Look at Mentoring Doesn’t have to be long term Situational mentoring Multiple mentors at one time Internally and externally
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentors – why?
Why do you want a mentor? Subject matter expertise Trial skills Career management Workload, time or practice management Ethics Office politics Managing staff Managing clients Business development
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Mentors – Whoo? & H’owl you find one?
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Start something new. . .
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Tips on establishing mentoring relationships
Be proactiveRelationships take timeBuilt on trustGive & takeUse your relationship skills
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Tips on maintaining . . .
Use your relationship skills, just like in marriage and friendships
Give & take, be considerateProvide value, how can you helpKeep it fresh
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Common Challenges . . .
Not enough feedbackNot enough timeSchedules don’t workNo accountabilityNOT A FIT
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Handling continuing challenges. . .
Ask yourself What is most important? Then discuss the relationship Or let it go
Sponsors – talk about you at lunch!
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Sponsors . . .
Have influence at the decision making table. Political capital, power,
leverage, cloutBelieve in your
potential. Bet on & invest in you
for their own benefit.Advocate for you.
Acknowledging Challenges . . .
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
What do you want a sponsor to help you get?
PromotionPartnershipRaiseMore challenging assignmentsMore responsibilityIntroductionsBusiness/ClientsNew jobLeadership role
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Sponsors – Who for you?
Consider your purpose.Look for people who could help you with it.Anyone in your corner already?
Distinguish between mentors & potential sponsors
Turn mentors with clout into sponsors?
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Who for you?
Who knows you or has heard of you & your work
Who isn’t your bossPeople with their name in lightsPeople with sponsor tendencies
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Who for you?
People with real powerWho aren’t your bossWho you may not even like or admire
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Who for you?
Pigeonholed or held back as lieutenant by boss?
Consider efficacy v affinity. ie. non-collaborative, non-inclusive types in positions of power & influence, senior level management, etc.
How?
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
1st Exercise (choose one)
I would like a sponsor or sponsors to help me get the following: (ex. promotion, new job, leadership role, introductions, clients, more responsibility, etc.)
What kind of help could I provide as a sponsor for someone?
Elizabeth Jolliffe Your Benchmark Coach 2013
2nd Exercise (choose one)
Potential sponsors for me: (Identify by type of position/title or name.)
Who could I sponsor and how would that help me? (Identify by type of position/title or name.)
