Sponsors vs mentors

Do you know the difference between a sponsor and a mentor? 

Of course, these things are all just made up, but given the terms are used by firms these days, I want to give you a word of caution.

By my definition:

• a mentor is someone who gives you the benefit of their experience. They give you advice or guidance with no expectation of anything in return. They could be someone at your firm or someone external; 

In contrast…

• a sponsor is someone who actively helps with you career progression. They might give you work; introductions; or use their political capital to back you for a promotion. 

Sponsorship is a two-way street. They’re not doing it out of the kindness of their heart, they’re doing it because you provide them with some form of economic value in return. 

Both are useful. But for different things. 

The word of caution I want to give is – don’t confuse them. 

Or more specifically, be careful of a sponsor wearing ‘mentor’ clothing! 

If your firm has a ‘mentor program’, and that mentor is someone who:

1. you work for OR 
2. might have some impact on your career progression - like a partner in another team or office who sits on the ‘promotions committee’…

That person is a SPONSOR. 

It matters because you’re selling to a sponsor. You’re selling your $ value and future potential to create value. You sell so that they buy. 

And when you’re selling something, you want to be mindful about creating uncertainty. You might not want to be totally open about your worries; or things you’re finding challenging; or doubts you’re having about what you even want for your future. 

Look, maybe in a fantasy imaginary world, sponsors would totally ignore anything you said to them when they had their ‘mentor’ hat on. 

But we don’t live in that world. 

In the real word, sponsors are human beings with human brains. They can’t digitally remove information they’ve heard in one capacity just because the firm gives it a ‘mentor’ stamp. 

Obviously, these lines blur sometimes and I’m NOT saying you should never show any humanness to your boss. You’re not a robot either. 

I’m just saying, understand the difference between the two things. 

Be thoughtful about your ultimate objectives.