Ever wonder how you can get ahead professionally and become more successful? 

I think this is something that we’ve all considered at one point in our career. 

Carla Harris, a Wall Street veteran and one of the most powerful Black executives in America, made me realize that it isn’t difficult to become successful at work. It just can’t be done alone. 

In her recent book, Lead to Win, Harris states that for a person to become a successful professional they often need a mentor and a sponsor.  

A mentor is a senior-level person with whom you can share your concerns, your mistakes, your achievements. They give you advice and help set a direction for your career. 

A sponsor has a different role. They have the singular responsibility of being your advocate. All key decisions about your career – compensation, promotions, new assignments - are made in a room where you’re typically not present. Having a sponsor who is established in the organization and vouches for you with their credibility and influence during these key moments is their role. 

 While I have had many mentors over the years, in the various roles and positions I’ve had, I am not sure I’ve had a sponsor or advocate.  

I am not sure I would have even known how to find a sponsor, especially when I was young or new and didn’t know many senior members of the organization. 

However, it is actually pretty easy. 

Harris suggests that if you’re looking for a mentor or an advocate you need to study your organization. Make note of the people who have a seat at the decision-making table. If you don’t know who those people are, ask around. Then pick two or three people from that list and start to build a relationship. 

Relationships are often built with nothing more than frequency of interaction.  

For example, in group meetings, be engaged and raise your hand. In larger staff meetings or town halls, state your name, your role and ask a thoughtful question.  

Or strike up a conversation in the elevator or at a networking event with someone you want to build a relationship with.  

Or notice when senior executives come into the office and be at your workstation, saying “good morning” as they walk by.  

Making friends with executive assistants is helpful, as is utilizing management’s open-door policies.  

These small frequent interactions allow people to notice you and remember you as being industrious, thoughtful and involved.  

It does require you to take many small risks and a willingness to get out there, especially when you eventually approach one of these people to become your sponsor or mentor.  

But the good news is that many senior executives are willing to develop their junior people. There are some people who shy away from these roles because they are afraid a junior member may stain their reputation if they perform poorly. But this isn’t common, especially if the senior manager is well-established, and you’ve consistently shown your ability.  

As a challenge this week, I invite you to build relationships within and perhaps outside your organization. Try using one of the strategies Carla Harris suggested. Or imagine your own. Either way, building relationships is key to the success of any person’s career or business.  

Soft touchpoints or frequent interactions are easy ways to establish them.  

Best wishes, Lauren