Who Spends Something on You

A mentor talks to you. A sponsor spends something on you.

Most leaders have plenty of people on their side. People who give good advice. People who say nice things when their name comes up. That is real, and it is worth having. It is also not the same as having someone who will put their own credibility behind you in a room where being wrong would cost them.

The difference shows up at exactly the moment it matters: the promotion slate, the stretch assignment, the project with real exposure. That is when you find out who was a fan and who was a sponsor.

You cannot ask someone to sponsor you. You can give them enough evidence that betting on you is a low risk. Start with the 2 people who should know more about your work than they do.

Then make sure they see it.

The Right Altitude. Available now. www.therightaltitudebook.com/the-book