She’s ready – speaking up and sponsoring women

Mentorship is about guidance—sponsorship is about action.

Mentors help you see what’s possible. They share wisdom, provide advice, and support you through challenges. But sponsors? They take it a step further. They actively advocate for you when you’re not in the room, opening doors to opportunities you might not access on your own.

For women and underrepresented groups, sponsorship is often the missing link.

As leaders, we have the power to be sponsors, not just mentors. It means:

• Speaking up for talent when decisions about promotions or projects are made.

• Connecting people to influential networks and key decision-makers.

• Sharing the stage - literally and figuratively - to ensure others’ contributions are visible.

This isn’t always easy.

It takes courage to call out moments when discussions about opportunities overlook capable women or underrepresented groups.

Often, exclusion happens subtly - wrapped in supposedly well-meaning statements like:

• “She’s great, but I’m not sure she’s ready for this level yet.”

• “We need someone who can hit the ground running—she might need more time to adjust.”

Comments like these, even if unintentional, can and do hold capable people back. As a sponsor, you can challenge them by asking:

• “What does ‘ready’ look like? Is that expectation being applied consistently to everyone?”

• “If she needs support, how can we provide it while still giving her this opportunity?”

By questioning these assumptions, you’re not only advocating for fairness but also creating a culture where talent is judged on potential and capability, not outdated stereotypes or biased perceptions.

If you’ve had a sponsor in your career, you know the impact they can have. It’s transformative.

Who has been a sponsor in your career journey, and how did they make a difference for you?

Until next week, take care of yourself and others

Madeleine

I help accomplished professionals untangle difficult career questions so they can thrive in work and life.

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