Letter from the Editor: The Distinct Difference between Sponsoring and Mentoring

And, in my opinion, being a mentor is fun and one of the most rewarding aspects of a leadership position. Being a sponsor is much harder—and often uncomfortable—but is one of the most influential things I can do to help those looking for my assistance. Data shows that women and underrepresented minorities have more mentors but are promoted at a far lower rate than white men. According to the Center for Talent Innovation, the vast majority of women and multicultural professionals need support to advance their careers but receive it less often than white males (Published October 9, 2018).

Everyone who knows me knows I love to golf. It is too easy for me to only sponsor those who also golf or share my interests. For those of us fortunate enough to be in a position to be a sponsor, we need to make a conscious effort to put aside our personal biases to also sponsor those who don’t look or act like us, but are worthy of promotion and advancement. Being a mentor is a blast. Being a sponsor is not always fun, but its effects can be profound.

Thanks for reading and I look forward to talking next month.

—Alex