Lifestyle

Unlocking Career Growth: The Power of Sponsorship in the Workplace

Navigating the unique power dynamics within your workplace is crucial for professional success. This is particularly true if you are new to an organization or a division. Understanding who has influence and whose opinions are often overlooked—and why—can significantly impact your career trajectory.

The Double Standard in Workplace Dynamics

Throughout my career as a consultant, I have observed that managers often make superficial and incomplete assessments due to a lack of understanding of these dynamics. Frequently, members of majority groups are given more leeway for sub-par performance, which is often excused or overlooked. In contrast, similar performances by members of underrepresented groups, such as women of color, are subjected to intense scrutiny and may result in lasting damage to their professional reputation.

This double standard exists partly because people tend to favor those similar to themselves. Majority group members often have strong informal relationships with senior executives who share their background, whereas minority group members typically do not.

The Role of a Sponsor

To empower yourself and stand out positively in a less-than-equitable environment, consider the importance of having a sponsor. Unlike a mentor, who provides coaching and career advice, a sponsor is an influential senior manager who can expose you to other executives capable of advancing your career. Sponsors advocate for key assignments and important promotions for their protégés.

Catalyst research has shown that to secure a sponsor, you should strive to highlight your accomplishments, develop and nurture relationships at work, and be bold about asking for new and better opportunities.

Building Professional Relationships

Building and sustaining professional relationships can be particularly challenging for women of color, who often bear the extra burden of making their mostly white colleagues feel at ease. Sharing safe-for-work information about your hobbies and interests outside of work and investing time in work relationships can help colleagues feel comfortable reciprocating. It is also crucial to be open to constructive feedback and coaching.

Identifying a Potential Sponsor

The ideal sponsor is someone who wields significant influence in your organization, regardless of their title or level. Consider the following questions:

Is there someone whose endorsement can lead to a manager’s promotion?
Is there a colleague in your department who seems to know and influence members of several different departments?
Is there a senior manager whose presentations are eagerly attended and listened to by all?

The Importance of a Diverse Network

While it’s possible to learn your way around a workplace through trial and error, a better approach for women of color is to create and sustain a diverse network. Making a good impression on higher-ups is important, but having friends at various levels and across different departments is equally crucial. You never know who might be in a position to help grow your career.

For more insights, you can refer to Catalyst, a leading authority on workplace dynamics and career growth.