The Sponsor Effect: How to Be a Better Leader by Investing in Others

Description

Are you investing in the right people? Many people know the benefit of finding a sponsor--someone who goes beyond traditional mentorship to partner with a junior-level employee to help build their skills, advocate for them when opportunities arise, and open doors. But few realize that being a sponsor is just as important to career growth as finding one. According to new research from economist and thought leader Sylvia Ann Hewlett, senior executives who sponsor rising talent are 53 percent more likely to be promoted than those who don't. Similarly, middle-level managers who have proteges are 167 percent more likely to be given stretch assignments. Well-chosen proteges contribute stellar performance, steadfast loyalty, and capabilities that you, the sponsor, may lack, thus increasing how fast and how far you can go. But how do you find standout proteges, let alone develop them so that they're able to come through for you and your organization? This book has the answers you need. Combining powerful new data and rich examples drawn from in-depth interviews with leaders from companies such as Unilever, Aetna, Blizzard Entertainment, and EY, The Sponsor Effect provides a seven-step playbook for how you can become a successful sponsor. You'll learn to: Identify the right mix of protegesInclude those with differing perspectivesInspire your proteges and ignite their ambitionInstruct them to develop key skill setsInspect your picks for performance and loyaltyInstigate a deal, detailing the terms of a relationshipInvest three ways and reap the rewards Along the way, you'll discover the enormous benefits of investing in these valuable relationships. Contents Part One: What Every Leader Needs to Know Ch 1: Sponsorship and the Power of Proteges Ch 2: Presenting the Research--and Common Mistakes Ch 3: Payoffs for Sponsors Part Two: The Playbook for Success Ch 4: Identify Potential Proteges Ch 5: Include Diverse Perspectives Ch 6: Inspire for Performance and Loyalty Ch 7: Instruct to Fill the Gaps Ch 8: Inspect Your Prospects Ch 9: Instigate a Deal Ch 10: Invest Three Ways Ch 11: Integrate and Bring It All Together Part Three: Dangers and Legacies Ch 12: #MeToo and the Third Rail Ch 13: Legacy Notes Index Acknowledgments About the Author