In the corporate world, distinguishing between a mentor,
sponsor, and leader can be difficult. As people can get carried away in
describing their roles, it is necessary to clearly demarcate the three. According
to Sylvia Hewlett , mentors “act as a
sounding board or a shoulder to cry on, offering advice as needed and support
and guidance as requested.” A sponsor is “a powerfully positioned champion” who
offers “guidance and critical feedback.” Although appropriating “champion” from
sports does not fit, the distinction between critical feedback and “support and
guidance” is worth exploring.
Material from this essay has been incorporated into The Essence of Leadership: A Cross-Cultural Foundation, which is available in print and as an ebook at Amazon.
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