By : Uma Thana Balasingam
In the grand game of professional advancement, every woman is her own unique player, possessing distinct skills, experiences, and aspirations. While her moves are undoubtedly her own, she doesn’t play this game alone. To truly thrive, she needs a reliable team at her side, a 'board' of mentors, sponsors, and coaches, each playing a distinct role in her journey. But how does one assemble this board? How do these roles differ, and how can each be effectively leveraged at different career stages? This comprehensive guide answers these questions, helping every woman craft her personalized strategy for professional growth and ultimate success. From early-career professionals to seasoned leaders, get ready to build your board and elevate your career to new heights.
Let's delve deeper into how women at different stages of their careers can effectively design their 'board' of coaches, mentors, and sponsors.
Early Career Stage
Women are beginning their professional journey at this stage and would benefit significantly from mentorship. Here, the emphasis should be on learning, growth, and understanding the nuances of their chosen field.
Designing the Board: Look for mentors who are experts in your field and can provide advice based on their own experiences. This could include immediate supervisors, professors, or experienced colleagues. At this stage, a coach could also be beneficial to help develop essential skills like effective communication, organization, and leadership.
Mid-Career Stage
As women progress to the mid-career stage, they've likely developed a solid understanding of their field. Now, they must focus on visibility, influence, and career advancement.
Designing the Board: Sponsors become critical at this stage. Look for influential individuals within your organization who can advocate for your work and capabilities. Maintain relationships with mentors for ongoing advice, and consider a coach who specializes in leadership, as this is often the point at which many women aim to move into leadership roles.
Senior Level / Leadership Stage
In senior roles or leadership positions, women face new challenges such as strategic decision-making, managing teams, and influencing the organization’s direction.
Designing the Board: A combination of high-level mentors, sponsors, and an experienced executive coach can be invaluable at this level. Mentors can offer wisdom and perspective from their leadership journeys, while sponsors can help create opportunities for visibility and influence within and outside the organization. An executive coach can provide structured support to enhance leadership capabilities and deal with the unique challenges faced at this level.
Remember that designing your board is a dynamic process throughout all these stages. The mentors, sponsors, and coaches who are beneficial at one stage may differ from those needed at another. Also, remember that these are broad recommendations, and individual needs can vary.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of serving as a mentor or sponsor yourself as you advance in your career. By supporting others, you strengthen your skills, contribute to your organization, and give back to the professional community. Ultimately, this 'board' is about driving your success and lifting others as you rise.
We are eager to hear about your personal experiences in seeking mentorship and sponsorship within your workplaces. Have you encountered challenges or triumphs? What strategies have resonated with you the most?
Your valuable feedback is instrumental in shaping a supportive community of empowered women, so let’s continue this conversation on Moxy's website, where your voice can help build better workplaces for women.
In case you missed it, check out part 1 of our article here on tips to get the right level support here : Demystifying Mentorship, Sponsorship, and Coaching: A Guide for Women.
