The Difference Between a Mentor and a Sponsor — and Why You Need Both

I’m a career mentor, I help people create fulfilling and successful lives and careers.  Obviously, I’m a big proponent of mentoring.  A great mentor can really help you move ahead.

Besides mentors however, you also need sponsors.  Sponsors are senior people in your organization, or you industry, who have some juice.  These are the people to whom hiring managers listen.  A good sponsor will help you find your next job or get the promotion you want.

This article does a good job of explaining the difference between sponsors and mentors.

http://www.fastcompany.com/3036037/hit-the-ground-running/yes-you-need-a-mentor-but-a-sponsor-will-really-boost-your-career

I like the advice in the article about turning a mentor into a sponsor.  If your mentor sees that you are putting his or her advice into play, he or she will be more likely to sponsor you when it comes time to find a new job or get a promotion.

The common sense point here is that you need both mentors and sponsors to create the life and career success you want and deserve.  Start building both kinds of relationships today.

Your career mentor,

Bud

PS: You can download a free copy of my bestseller, Climbing the Corporate Ladder at www.BudBilanich.com/climbing.  When you do, I’ll begin sending you daily motivational quotes and give you a free basic membership in my career mentoring site.