As working moms, we’re always looking for how to be more efficient with our time. We have limited time to make things happen at work and at home, so try to find ways to work smarter and to be more intentional with time. We increase our productivity and try to work smarter.
Have you engaged mentors and/or sponsors to help you work smarter? They can support your work-life balance efforts in that they can help the work side work more for you. And this applies to working moms who are at a company or entrepreneurs.
Let’s face it, when it comes to advancing your career, it’s not only about doing great work. We need to have people talk about our strengths. We must advocate for promotions and lateral moves that further position us for moving up the ladder. What about other people in your corner to help you figure this out and advocate for you? And I’m talking about a combination of mentors AND sponsors.
What’s the Difference between Mentors and Sponsors?
Mentors can be a guide in all things career-related. Get their take on opportunities that come your way or challenges you’re facing. Ask them questions about things like work-life balance. Tap into their experience to help you be better in your current and future roles.
Sponsors are a bit different. They are more action-oriented. Sponsors open doors and make connections for you. In my own experience I had sponsors (who I thought at the time were mentors) make connections to future managers and future opportunties for me. They recommended me for specific projects and roles and showed how they aligned with my skills.
Peer Mentors
There is a small group that can be a combination of both of these: peer mentors. These are often working mamas like you and they understand where you are in your business. They can give guidance on how to take advantage of opportunities and steer you over, around, or through challenges. Your peer mentors can introduce you to a client or potential team member.
I’ve been a part of two peer masterminds (yep, no fee necessary to participate) which are essentially more structured groups of peer mentors and they have made a huge impact on my businesses. These amazing fellow working moms give me guidance on things that come up and make introductions to new people or businesses that I can collaborate with. They recommend me for summits and speaking gigs. We’re in similar seasons of our businesses, but we have all had different paths and skills sets. We can help each other out in different ways. You get it. They’ve been integral to various aspects of my business. And I do the same for them.
Mentors and Work-life Balance
When it comes to work-life balance, mentors can really help. It’s great to have more than one mentor, including one who is further along in her career and in motherhood. Talk to her about what you’re struggling with. See what she did in a similar situation. Understand what has worked for her or her colleagues at different seasons of working motherhood. It won’t hurt to tap into someone else’s experience. If the advice doesn’t work for your situation, that’s OK. It might spark a new idea or it could be adjusted for your situation.
Building Strong Relationships with Mentors
You want to get the most out of the relationships with your mentor. These tips can help:
- Build these relationships over time. It’s hard to find mentors over night. Start having conversations now and creating these connections.
- Be strategic. Find the right mentors to talk to. Lookg for the personality, style, and approach to career that aligns with your specific needs.
- Get the most out of each interaction. Prepare for your conversations. Know the points you want to cover. Be engaged during your interaction, even if you’re tired or have a pile of work waiting on your desk. They’re likely in the same boat.
- Follow up and say thank you. Follow up after the interactions and say thank you to your mentor for his or her time, insights, advice, etc. A simple email or even a handwritten note is great.
- Evaluate over time. Make changes over time as your needs and that of your mentor(s) change. Keep in touch, though. You never know when your paths will cross again.
Find the Right Sponsor
- Find the right sponsor for your needs. Now that you understand more about the role of a sponsor, the challenge becomes finding a sponsor that is the right fit for both of you. Analyze your current network to see if you have connections who are currently mentors and are at a senior level. Maybe it’s someone who was previously a manager or even a manager’s manager. They might not even be at the company any more.
- Consider previous projects. If you’ve worked on a high-profile project in the past few years, consider reaching out to someone senior who seemed impressed with your work. He or she has already seen you in action and understands what you’re capable of.
- Find a sponsor whose legacy you can support. Sponsors also have a strategy and purpose in looking for those they sponsor. How can you support their legacy within the company or industry? Show how you’re a great fit for what they want to achieve in the short and long term.
Mentors and sponsors look a bit different if you’re employed by a company or as an entrepreneur. Check out my blogs on mentors and sponsor for working moms at a company and entrepreneur working moms to learn more.
Or, if you’re interested in learning more about these concepts, check out the latest Mompowerment book. There is a whole chapter dedicated to mentors and sponsors. See more at www.mompowerment.com/shop.
