I think what's special about sponsorship relationships, especially the one that we heard about before is that it was a close relationship. It wasn't an exchange transaction oriented relationship where I'm going to do something for you and then you're going to do things for me. That's what I worry about. If a sponsor is constantly cataloging, okay, I did this opportunity for you, so now I need you to do this for me. You risk turning the relationship into a pure quid pro quo.
Having a sponsor — someone who can use their influence to push your career forward — is invaluable. But how exactly they do this, and what your role is in making it happen, isn’t always clear-cut. Who should we be seeking to sponsor us? Should sponsors be candid with their proteges about what they’re doing on their behalf?
We pose these questions and others to Rosalind Chow, a researcher who studies sponsorship. She clarifies some of the ambiguity and talks about what should be transparent and what should stay unspoken. Then we hear how one of these relationships works between two lawyers, as well as between Nicole and Amy B.
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Our theme music is Matt Hill’s “City In Motion,” provided by Audio Network.