Sponsors unmask your talents and open doors.

June 24, 2013

Keep your mentors and engage your sponsors.

By Dr. Santalynda Marrero There is a song we sang in my Girl Scout troop, “Make new friends, but keep the old one is silver and the other’s gold.” When coaching that is how I explain the difference between mentors and sponsors. Both are needed. Mentors support you and nurture you personally and in your career. They are silver and gold. Now let me add that sponsors have taken on more meaning -- they are platinum!

Sponsors unmask your talents to yourself and expose you to others. Let me share myself as a case in point. As I look back on my 30 year career there were three sponsors that open doors that greatly enhanced my journey. All three sponsors were men. Ok, bear with me, I am talking “back in the day” in the 80’s and early 90’s and women were for the most part in traditional support roles. To read more please click on this PDF link: Sponsor articleJune2013