What We Still Misunderstand About Mentorship and Sponsorship

Companies offer sponsorship programs to help a more diverse group
of high performers and future leaders advance. But the efforts can
often misfire. Herminia Ibarra, professor at London Business
School, says that’s because these arranged developmental
relationships can lack authenticity and meaningful paths for
action. She explains the key distinctions of mentorship and
sponsorship and recommends that companies focus on two vital
qualities: public advocacy and relational authenticity. Ibarra
wrote the HBR article “How to Do Sponsorship Right.”