Access to Opportunities
Sponsor Role
A sponsor is more than a mentor; they are a powerhouse of influence and opportunity for their protégés. They actively advocate for their protégés' career progression, open doors for promotions, high-visibility projects, and networking opportunities.
Leveraging their own professional capital and social networks, sponsors can significantly elevate the career trajectories of their protégés. This active involvement is an important element in fostering equitable career growth.
Protege Role
The role of the protégé in a sponsorship program is both proactive and multi-layered. They must be active, develop the relationship with their sponsors, communicate their career aspirations, and be receptive to feedback and guidance from their sponsor.
They also need to be willing to build a trusting relationship with their sponsors that will allow them to speak honestly and openly about how to navigate tricky situations. Finally, they have to commit to their professional progress and be ready to tap into the opportunities and networks provided by their sponsors.