The Sponsor Map
Identify who in your network is ready to champion you into leadership
Context
Why This Matters
The Truth About Sponsorship
You don't find sponsors. You become someone worth sponsoring. But first, you need to know who's worth cultivating.
Mentors give advice. Sponsors bet their reputation on you. This tool helps you identify which relationships in your network have real sponsorship potential—the people who can actually open doors.
Complete this in 10 minutes.
Be honest. The goal isn't a long list—it's finding the one or two people worth your strategic focus.
STEP 1
List Your People
Write down 8-10 people who actually know your work. Not acquaintances. People who've seen you deliver results and can speak to your specific capabilities.
Direct Leadership
  • Current manager
  • Skip-level manager (your boss's boss)
  • Former managers, even from previous companies
Collaborators & Allies
  • Senior leaders you've worked with on projects
  • People who've mentored you formally or informally
  • Senior colleagues who've collaborated with you
Extended Network
  • Industry contacts who know your reputation
  • Cross-functional partners who've seen your impact

Pro Tips:
  • Don't filter yet. Write down everyone who's seen you deliver—even people who feel "too senior" or "too distant." You'll narrow ruthlessly in the next step.
  • Target adding 8-10 names → You'll narrow to 1-2 by the end.
Step 2
The Quick Filter
For each person on your list, answer three yes-or-no questions. This rapid assessment separates real potential from wishful thinking.
1
Have they seen me deliver results (not just potential)?
They need concrete evidence of your capabilities, not just a sense that you're promising.
2
Do we have real rapport?
Sponsorship requires trust. Surface-level professional courtesy isn't enough.
3
Would they take my call tomorrow?
Can you reach them directly? Do you have an established line of communication?

If ANY answer is "no"—cross them off. That doesn't mean they'll never be sponsors. It means the foundation isn't there yet. Focus on people where it is.
STEP 3
The Three-Criteria Score
Score each remaining person 1-5 on three critical criteria. This framework reveals who has the strongest potential to champion your career advancement.
Influence
Can they actually open doors for you?
1 = No decision-making power
3 = Some voice in relevant decisions
5 = Direct power over opportunities you want
Evidence
Have they seen enough to vouch for you?
1 = They know your potential but haven't seen results
3 = They've seen me deliver on 2-3 projects
5 = They could rattle off my specific wins confidently
Foundation
Is the relationship strong enough for advocacy?
1 = Surface-level rapport
3 = Regular interaction, mutual trust
5 = They'd vouch for me without hesitation
What Your Score Means
Add up Influence + Evidence + Foundation for each person. The total reveals where to focus your energy strategically.
8 or Below:
Not Ready Yet
Either they lack influence over opportunities you want, or the foundation isn't there. Don't force it. These relationships may develop over time, but they're not your priority now.
9-11 Points:
Building Potential
Something's missing—maybe they haven't seen enough of your work, or the relationship needs deepening. Worth investing in strategically, but not your first focus.
12-15 Points:
High Potential
They have the influence, have seen your work, and trust you. These are your people. This is where you focus your sponsorship cultivation efforts.
STEP 4
Pick One Person
Look at your 12+ scorers. Choose ONE.
This is the relationship you're going to cultivate intentionally.
Not by asking for sponsorship—by showing up differently.
By making it easy for them to see you as someone worth betting on.
Why just one?
Sponsorship cultivation takes focused energy. Spreading yourself across 3-4 relationships means none of them deepen enough. One relationship, cultivated well, changes your trajectory.

Write down their name.
That's your focus for the next quarter.
Now What?
1
You've Identified
Your highest-potential sponsor based on influence, evidence, and relationship foundation
2
Next Step
Prime the relationship—shift how they see you from "someone I advise" to "someone I'd champion"
3
The Work
Strategic visibility, demonstrating impact, and making sponsorship easy for them
I cover the exact tactics for priming sponsor relationships in the newsletter. If you're not subscribed yet, join below to get the frameworks you need.
The Protégé Project
Strategic frameworks for breaking into leadership
Get practical, research-backed strategies for women navigating their first leadership role. No fluff, just actionable insights delivered weekly.
Subscribe to Newsletter
Made with