Sponsorship > Mentorship: Who’s Opening Doors for You?

Let’s talk about sponsorship.

Not mentorship. Not networking. 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱.

A sponsor is someone who uses their power and influence to actively advocate for you—your work, your advancement, your worth. They’re not just cheering you on behind closed doors. They’re opening them. 🚪

In MotherMind, we spend intentional time mapping our career goals, identifying the gaps between where we are and where we want to be, and getting strategic about the kinds of support we need—including what we might ask of a sponsor to help close that gap.

Because the research is clear:

➡️ Women benefit even more than men from sponsorship.
➡️ But we’re less likely to seek it out.
➡️ And we’re less likely to be named as its beneficiaries.

❗That’s a problem—and an opportunity. 💡

Earlier this week, I experienced a beautiful reminder of what sponsorship can look like in action. A longtime champion of mine (you know who you are! 😉) hired me to provide individual coaching to early-career faculty scholars at an upcoming conference. When I sent her my flat-rate quote, she responded:

“This seems low. Let me bump it up.”

That’s sponsorship. 🔥

She didn’t just open the door—she reminded me of my value as I walked through it. 👏

💭 So let’s reflect:

Do you know who your sponsors are?
Have you ever asked someone to sponsor you—or considered how they might?
Are you in a position to sponsor someone else?

You’re worth advocating for. Let’s start practicing!