Why You Need Both Mentors and Sponsors in Your Career Journey
When I ask people what they most want to hear about at career development events, the topic that comes up most often is around mentors and sponsors. And yet, I often find that the terms are used interchangeably. These terms mean very different things, and both are equally important in your career development and journey.
To break it down, let’s think of it this way:
🔹 A mentor is your truth mirror and sounding board—they help you gain clarity, challenge your thinking, and offer honest advice based on experience.
🔹 A sponsor is your career champion—they advocate for you, open doors, and help position you for new opportunities.
You need both to move forward, so let’s dive into what makes them different and how to find them.
“One of the greatest values of mentors is the ability to see ahead what others cannot see and to help them navigate a course to their destination. ”
MENTORS: Your Truth Mirror & Sounding Board
A mentor is someone who provides guidance, honest feedback, and perspective based on their own experience. They won’t sugarcoat things for you (and you don’t want them to)—instead, they’ll help you see your blind spots, challenge assumptions, and push you to grow in ways you might not on your own.
The best mentors don’t just tell you what you want to hear—they tell you what you need to hear. And guess what? You don’t need just one. You’ll probably benefit from multiple mentors who serve different purposes:
✅ A mentor who helps you navigate a new role. The learning curve in a new position can be steep, and a mentor who has been there before can help you ramp up faster.
✅ A mentor who’s a few levels ahead of you. If you’re aiming for the next step—say, moving from individual contributor to manager—find someone who has already walked that path.
✅ A mentor in a completely different industry. Thinking about pivoting careers? Find a mentor who can offer insights from that field.
Some organizations have company sponsored mentorship programs that pair mentors with mentees. Your manager may also pair you with a mentor as you take on a new role. If there are no official programs in department or firm, then be proactive. Reach out to a few different people you may want to connect with depending on your what you hope to accomplish.
How to Connect with a Mentor:
💡 Start small. Ask for a 15-30 minute coffee chat to learn about their career journey and insights.
💡 Assess the fit. If the conversation flows naturally and they seem open to more discussions, ask if they’d be willing to mentor you. If they’re unavailable, ask if they recommend someone else.
💡 Be clear about your goals. Are you looking for career guidance? Leadership development? Breaking into a new industry? Having clear objectives helps mentors provide better advice.
💡 Set expectations together. Decide on how often you’ll meet—whether it’s quarterly check-ins or something more frequent.
Most importantly, remember: mentorship is built on trust. The more open and honest you are, the more valuable the relationship will be.
“Sponsorship is about putting your name and reputation on the line for someone else. It could be as simple as recommending someone for a new role, yet it’s one of the most powerful cultural tools any organization has. ”
SPONSORS: Your Career Champion
While mentors offer advice, sponsors take action. A sponsor is someone who has influence in your organization and is willing to use it to advocate for you, recommend you for roles, and open doors you might not be able to open yourself. I once stopped to think about how I landed my career opportunities, and I realized that 80% of my jobs came from a sponsor.
How do you acquire sponsors? Simply put, you earn them. A sponsor won’t back you unless they know you’re worth backing. They put their own reputation on the line, so they’ll only champion people who are high performers and consistently deliver results.
Signs That Someone is a Sponsor:
✅ They ask about your career goals. Sponsors are invested in where you’re headed.
✅ They pull you into stretch assignments or new roles. If someone is giving you high-visibility projects, they might be setting you up for bigger things.
✅ They offer support and advocate for you. Whether it’s recommending you for a promotion or making key introductions, they actively help advance your career.
✅ They’re your biggest cheerleader. If they’re speaking highly of you to decision-makers, congrats—you’ve got a sponsor!
What If You Don’t Have a Sponsor?
💡 Start by excelling at what you do. A sponsor is more likely to take notice if your work stands out.
💡 Ask for stretch assignments. Show that you’re eager to grow and take on more.
💡 Have candid career conversations. If you’re not sure whether someone would sponsor you, try asking for their advice on your next step. Their response can be telling.
And if someone isn’t willing to sponsor you? Don’t take it personally. Instead, ask what you can do differently to become a stronger candidate. Feedback is a gift—use it to your advantage.
Mentors vs. Sponsors: You Need Both
Understanding the difference between mentors and sponsors—and knowing how to find and leverage them—can change the trajectory of your career. Both are invaluable. And if you’re in a position to be a mentor or a sponsor, consider paying it forward. There’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone else thrive in their career.
So, what’s your next move? Seek out a mentor. Earn a sponsor. And most importantly, be open about your career goals—you never know who might be ready to help you take that next big step.
Article originally published March 26, 2023 and revised January 26, 2025