Recently I was asked if sponsorship was the new mentoring. My answer is an emphatic NO!

In my experience mentorship and sponsorship are very distinct. And I believe the most powerful mentoring includes sponsorship. While sponsorship can be a very successful stand alone strategy, it cannot and will never replace mentoring.

Effective mentoring is an interactive, dynamic and empowering relationship that improves the thinking of both partners. This allows them to grow, develop and advance together. They become fully accountable for the actions they take and learn from their mistakes, their triumphs and everything in-between. In successful partnerships both people understand their roles, trust each other, are willing to listen and try new things.

An effective mentor always remembers who you are when the going gets tough. They ask the hard questions that make you think more deeply and clearly. They cheer the loudest when you experience a breakthrough, take a step that seems impossible, or reach a goal so challenging there could be no certainty of accomplishment until it was achieved. Mentoring is all about helping you develop the skills and the kind of strategic thinking that experience teaches.

Sponsorship is all about opening doors to new opportunities. It is one of the greatest gifts a mentor can give. Mentors who sponsor their mentees share access to their own network, to people at different levels in the organization and to resources. Sponsorship when done well can lead to bigger assignments, honors and recognition, and at times, promotions. It lets your mentee know they are growing and learning, and just as importantly that you recognize their progress and value.

You may be more familiar with sponsorship as an on-boarding strategy for new hires. This is a very successful way of acculturating people into the organization so they become productive more quickly. Successful sponsorship relationships can also blossom to become life-long professional friendships. Casey Powell, former President and CEO Sequent, shared with me about how effective sponsorship for on-boarding new hires can be. It helped build a workforce of team players who genuinely cared about each other and the organization. Though Sequent was acquired by IBM in 1999, more than 1500 former Sequent employees have maintained professional relationships that were nurtured by their sponsorship program. They stay in touch via a LinkedIn Group.

When we provide staff training in the essential skills you need to succeed as an effective mentor and leader, we include sponsorship strategies and how to appropriately share your network.

Leslie Truex, author of the Work At Home Bible, interviewed Susan Bender Phelps, CEO, of Odyssey Mentoring and Leadership for an audio podcast on her website www.Work-At-HomeSuccess.com this week. You’ll learn how she started Odyssey Mentoring and Leadership and hear why mentoring skills and mentoring are so critical for professional development, employee engagement and productivity: http://workathomesuccess.com/wahs-podcast-163-susan-phelps-of-odyssey-mentor (you’ll have to copy and paste the link into your browser to get there).

Last month I had the great pleasure of speaking at the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Westside Business Women lunch and learn event. The topic was  Being The MESSENGER – the nine principles that make networking so powerful. To capitalize on the momentum, the Chamber is having me back on February 17th for “Where Oh Where Should I Network?” - Whether it’s lunches, meetings, dinners, building that on-line tribe – how do you determine the BEST networking opportunities for you and your business? This session will help you save hundreds of dollars and thousands of hours while increasing your ROI on what you do spend.

On March 17th – “How to Generate 50 Contacts a Week” - - You can maximize your networking and have enough contacts to keep your business growing no matter how busy you are. Learn effective tactics you can use the minute you hit the street.

Please join us at these information packed sessions. WBW will be on February 17th from 11:30 AM-1:00PM at Coyotes Bar and Grill located at 5301 W. Baseline, Hillsboro 97124. RSVP by February 15th to Darcey Edwards 503-726-2143 darceye@hillchamber.org

I am the Chief Navigator for Odyssey Mentoring. We provide training to companies and professional associations for their mentoring and leadership programs. We opened our doors a little more than one year ago and we are in the black!

When I speak and write, I  share my business-building principles, strategies and tactics. She has trained hundreds in the art and science of networking. Throughout my career, I have delivered success after success in marketing, advertising and public relations – increased sales, broadened customer bases, community action, media campaigns and charitable fund raising. She has more than 20 years of hands-on experience as an entrepreneur, manager, trainer, writer and speaker.