Episode 204: Using Sponsorship to Create Inclusive Meritocracy with Rosalind Chow

by | Jun 12, 2025 | Episodes | 0 comments

In episode 204, Coffey talks with Rosalind Chow about the distinct roles of mentorship and sponsorship in advancing careers and building more inclusive workplaces. They discuss the distinction between mentorship (which helps grow the mentee) and sponsorship (which seeks to change how others see the protege); how sponsorship functions like marketing or PR campaigns for high-potential employees; the four types of sponsorship – creating, confirming, preventing, and protecting; why sponsors risk their own credibility and reputation when advocating for others; how sponsorship doesn’t require formal hierarchical relationships but depends on trust and status; how to become more “sponsorable” by being a top performer with clear values and compelling personal story; the risks of having the wrong sponsor or appearing as the “teacher’s pet”; and how sponsorship creates inclusion by ensuring high performers are seen, valued, and given opportunities regardless of their background or circumstances.

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Rosalind Chow

Rosalind Chow

Rosalind Chow is an Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior and Theory at Carnegie Mellon University, where she studies the power of social hierarchy and its impact on diversity and inclusion efforts within organizations. Her forthcoming book, The Doors You Can Open (PublicAffairs, April 8, 2025) distinguishes the concept of sponsorship from mentorship. While mentorship can change mentees for the better through valuable coaching and encouragement, sponsorship takes it one step further — sponsors can change the social environment around their proteges by actively advocating for, raising the social visibility of, and protecting them. Put simply, while mentors act on mentees, sponsors act on external observers – audiences – to change how they see proteges. We don’t just have the ability to change other people; we also have the ability to change other people’s relationships with one another. This ability – the power we have as sponsors – is something we can leverage to better ourselves, other people, and our communities.  

Contact

Rosalind Chow can be reached at
http://www.rosalindchow.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosalind-chow-6b25541b0    

 

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