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Women’s Leadership Coaching

Mentors and Sponsorswith Jo Miller, CEO, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

JO MILLER• CEO of Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.• Helps emerging women leaders create a roadmap

for their career advancement.• A leading authority on women’s leadership, Jo

delivers more than 60 speaking presentations annually to audiences of up to 1,200 women.

• Has traveled widely in Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East to deliver keynotes and teach workshops for women’s conferences, professional associations, and corporate women’s initiatives. 

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

I HAVE SOME UNIQUE

KOALAFICATIONS

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

THE EMERGING LEADER’S QUANDARY

You can’t get a higher-level job without leadership experience…

But you can’t get the experience without the job.

Are you the best-kept secret in your organization?

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@womensleadershp

@jo_miller

Women’s Leadership Coaching

The most important asset you will build in your career:

Your network

(Your “Sphere of Influence”)

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

“It’s not enough to have a bright idea.

I have seen too many projects led by great, passionate people fail because

they tried to be the lone influencer. You have to get the right people in the boat with you. You have to engage the

entire human fabric.”

Sophie Vandebroek, CTO, Xerox

“People with strong networks and good mentors enjoy more promotions, higher pay, and greater career satisfaction.”

- Centered leadership: How talented women thrive, McKinsey, 2008.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

Networking Success Story• A more senior job opening that was not officially

announced.• Encouragement to apply.• Personal introduction to the hiring decision-makers.• Insider information about the skills and qualities

necessary to succeed in the job.• Consulting advice to answer interview questions she

felt unprepared for.• Advocacy of people in the hiring committee’s

inner circle of key influencers.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

Your Strategic Networking Plan

WHO With whom will you build relationships?

HOW How will you build those relationships?

WHO HOW

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

5 key people you need in your network

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

This presentation is available at:

www.womensleadershipcoaching.com/ICAN.htm

The Connector

• A true ‘people person’• Puts others at ease• Knows (and gets along with) everyone• Loves to opens doors & make introductions• Provides connections to networks, resources and

opportunities.

The Informational Powerhouse

• Strives to keep a finger on the pulse• Stays current on organizational and industry issues• Knows about changes before they occur or are

made official• Filters useful information from gossip or ‘noise’• Has information in advance about new projects,

opportunities, re-orgs, resource allocations, budget changes, etc.

The Influencer

• Not necessarily high-level or high-profile • Has the ability to make things happen• Gets people on board with ideas and initiatives• Gains agreement and collaboration from teams• Has a voice with senior leadership• Their early support can guarantee the success of

your initiatives• Their advocacy can get you noticed.

The Mentor

Heather HainSr. Director, TMS Sales GrowthEnablement and Client RelationsTSYS Merchant Solutions

Peggy DunnProgram ManagerFarm Credit Services of America

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

4 S’s of Mentoring Successes

StoriesSituationsSelf-awarenessSkill-building

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

How do you get a mentor?

“There is a special kind of relationship—called sponsorship—in which the mentor goes beyond giving feedback and advice and uses his or her influence with senior executives to advocate for the mentee.

Our interviews and surveys alike suggest that high-potential women are

overmentored and undersponsored relative to their male peers—and that they are not advancing in their organizations.”

“Why men still get more promotions than women,” Harvard Business Review.

The Sponsor

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

“A sponsor is someone who will use their internal political and

social capital to move your career forward within an organization. Behind closed doors, they will

argue your case.”

Cindy Kent, Vice President and General Manager, Gastro/Urology Therapies, Medtronic

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

“Are all your advocates in the management chain

directly above you? I recommend that everyone

have three to four advocates outside of their direct management chain.”

Michelle Johnston Holthaus, GM, Channel Platforms and Strategy Division, Intel

Four U.S.-based and global studies clearly show that

sponsorship — not mentorship — is

how power is transferred in the

workplace.*

Only _____ % of women

employed in large

companies have a

sponsor.**

13

* “Why You Need A Sponsor — Not A Mentor — To Fast-Track Your Career,” Business Insider** “The Sponsor Effect,” Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin and Sumberg, 2011

Men and women feel more

satisfied with their career

advancement when they have

sponsors.

Ambitious women

underestimate the difference

sponsorship can make.

“The Sponsor Effect,” Hewlett, Peraino, Sherbin and Sumberg, 2011

Women who have sponsors are at least 22% more likely to ask for

stretch assignments and

raises.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

“… having an active advocate

completely changes your

career."

Kerrie Peraino, Vice President for Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer, American Express.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

Who are the leaders in your organization or industry who have the qualities of good sponsor?

What a sponsor does

1. Believes in you, understands and values that you can be a leader, and is willing to take a bet on you.

2. Is prepared to go out on a limb for you and publicly support you.

3. In your corner and give you some air cover.

What a protégé must do

1. Exceeds expectations, and make their performance known.

2. Demonstrates that they are trustworthy and loyal.

3. Brings something special to the table.

- Sylvia Ann Hewlett, author, Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor.

Emily BlodgettDirector, Organizational DevelopmentFirst National Bank

Gail GraeveMarketing & Public Relations Consultant

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

There is no “silver bullet” for attracting the attention of a high-level sponsor.

- “Sponsoring Women to Success,” Catalyst, 2011

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

How to cultivate sponsorships1. Outperform!2. Make your value visible3. Observe the protocols: how does sponsorship work in

your organization’s culture?4. Ask which leaders have a strong track record of

developing talent5. Network across your organization and beyond your direct

management chain6. Look for exposure opportunities to work with or work for

senior leaders7. Have clarity about your career goals8. Share your career goals with your leaders.

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

5 key people you need in your network

1.The Connector 2.The Informational Powerhouse3.The Influencer4.The Mentor5.The Sponsor

This presentation is available at:

www.womensleadershipcoaching.com/ICAN.htm

Copyright 2014, Women’s Leadership Coaching, Inc.

“Don’t be shy or hesitant about putting yourself forward as someone who’s

interested in being developed as a leader.

It’s important to be savvy about looking for those little opportunities that may not look

like a promotion or a new job title. Ask yourself if this is something where you can

fill a gap in leadership.”

Carla D. BrockmanVice President Corporate Governance and Secretary, Devon Energy