Research

Ask Catalyst Express: Sponsorship and Mentoring

Jul 26, 2018

“A coach talks to you, a mentor talks with you, and a sponsor talks about you.”

Sponsors, mentors, and coaches can all make a difference in how individuals advance through organizations but there are key differences between each. Coaches provide guidance on development and often help with soft skills, such as active listening. Mentors help their mentees navigate their careers choices through formal or informal mentoring relationships. Sponsors use their influence or leadership status to advocate for the advancement of an individual. They are often senior leaders or other people of power appropriately placed within an organization who help protégés obtain high-visibility projects or jobs. When women have sponsors, it can narrow the advancement gap between women and men. Understanding these differences can assist when embarking on these work relationships. Learn the most critical elements of sponsorship programs and mentoring partnerships and how to make the most of your role on either side of the equation.

Catalyst Sponsorship and Mentoring Resources

Case Studies
  • Nationwide—Our Associates’ Success Drives Business Success  Supporter Exclusive 
    “Nationwide’s Touch Point program, launched in 2010, exposes the OCEO to executive talent across the organization, which includes women and women of color. Participants are introduced to the Board of Directors, both to present their work and as guests at Board luncheons and other forums. Many of them cite this program as key to their growth. To date, 48% of participants at the senior executive level have been women, including 16% women of color.”
  • The Chubb Corporation—Mentoring as a Strategy for Gender Inclusion: A New Vision for Advancing Women and Engaging Men  Supporter Exclusive
    “This strategic mentoring program provides junior men and women with career development support and exposure to the top 1% of the organization, while demonstrating that top leadership includes many successful women who are fully equipped to mentor rising talent. It also gives the men an opportunity to learn about and engage in the work of the Women’s Development Council, which in turn helps the council to broaden its message and reach.”
  • Kimberly-Clark Corporation—Fostering Talent Development Through Sponsorship  Supporter Exclusive
    “At K-C, the rationale for valuing sponsorship comes down to talent development. When the company crafted its five-year business plan in 2010 it focused on both business strategy and people strategy, with an emphasis on building a strong, well prepared internal pipeline of leadership candidates.”
Infographic
Reports

Understanding the Benefits

  • Sponsoring Women to Success contains data, practices, and participant insights that provide actionable advice on how to foster sponsorship within organizations.
  • Making Mentoring Work offers insights to help organizations maximize their mentoring efforts, including information on building robust formal mentoring programs from the ground up as well as on ways to leverage existing formal mentoring programs.
  • Mentoring: Necessary But Insufficient For Advancement highlights the distinction between mentoring (career advice and guidance) and sponsorship (advocacy by someone highly placed in the organization) and examines the impact of mentoring on the career advancement of high potentials. It also includes insights from senior leaders on sponsorship activities being undertaken in their organizations.
Tools

Establishing Program and Partnerships 

Maximizing Success

Webinars

Other Sponsorship and Mentoring Resources

 

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