Beth Berger: Sponsoring Change

TL;DR

Sponsorship is a powerful tool in career advancement and organizational change, benefiting both the sponsor and the sponsored.

Transcript

[MUSIC] I want you to take a moment and picture the person who gave you your first big career opportunity. The person who took a chance on you to do something you'd never done before. Maybe before you were really ready. Do you remember their name? What they looked like? What that meant for you? So, I don't know who you're picturing, what their name... Read More

Key Insights

• 💨 Sponsorship is a powerful way to have an impact on someone else's life and fill the gap between possibilities.
• 😃 Being a sponsor benefits the sponsor as well, creating a network of talented individuals who can help achieve big goals.
• 💱 Sponsorship is crucial for changing organizations and promoting diversity and inclusion.
• ❓ Individuals can start being sponsors at any stage of their career.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the difference between a mentor and a sponsor?

While mentors provide advice and share perspective, sponsors go a step further by giving access to experiences and relationships that the person may not find on their own. Sponsors also advocate for the person's advancement.

Q: How does sponsorship benefit the sponsor?

Sponsors benefit from having a bench of talented individuals who can help them achieve big things. By investing in people early in their careers, sponsors build a broader and deeper network, providing a competitive advantage as a leader.

Q: Why is sponsorship important for changing organizations?

Organizations with diverse teams have better business outcomes, but leadership often lacks diversity. By being intentional about sponsorship and looking for potential in people who don't look like us, we can break the self-replicating cycle and create more inclusive organizations.

Q: How can individuals start being sponsors?

Individuals can start being sponsors by being intentional and looking for potential in people who are behind them in their career journey. They can give these individuals access to experiences and relationships, and advocate for their promotion.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship, as sponsors not only provide advice but also give access to experiences and relationships that can help the person advance in their career.

• Being a sponsor has a measurable impact on someone else's life, helping them fill the gap between what could have been and what is.

• Sponsorship is also beneficial for the sponsor, as it creates a network of talented individuals who can help achieve big things together.