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<big>[[Diversity and Inclusion Office|Homepage]] | [[Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program 2024|LLMC 2024]] | [[Perspectives sur le pouvoir du parrainage dans l'avancement de carrière : Aperçu de la classe de maître Diriger en élevant les autres|FR]]</big>

<big>[[Diversity and Inclusion Office|Homepage]] | [[Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles Program 2024|LLMC 2024]] | [[Stratégies de négociation avec Fotini Iconomopoulos : Aperçu de la classe de maître Diriger en élevant les autres|FR]]</big>

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== '''<big>Insights on the Power of Sponsorship in Career Advancement: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass</big>'''  ==

== '''<big>Strategies for Negotiation with Fotini Iconomopoulos: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass</big>'''  ==

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<big>Sponsorship is a crucial strategy for accelerating career growth and creating opportunities. The first Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circle (LLMC) Masterclass of 2024, held on September 23, focused on The Power of Sponsorship.</big>  

<big>On October 21, 2024, LLMC held its third Masterclass of the year on the topic of negotiation entitled “Say Less, Get More: Mastering Effective Negotiation”. Participants  learned practical tips and gained valuable insights on how to enhance their negotiation abilities from Fotini Iconomopoulos, an award-winning negotiation expert who helps empower others to get what they want.</big>  

<big>Presented by Gérard Étienne and moderated by Samantha Moonsammy and Suzan Richards, this session illuminated how sponsorship transforms careers, uplifts others, and fosters meaningful change across the public service.</big>

<big>Throughout the session led by Fotini and moderated by Samantha Moonsammy and Suzan Richards, participants learned how to overcome common fears when negotiating, how to build credibility, and more.</big>  

<big>Sponsorship goes beyond mentorship by actively advocating for someone's career progression. While mentors provide guidance and share knowledge, sponsors use their influence to promote their protégé’s advancement. Gérard described sponsorship as “a necessary condition to movement within the public service”, yet acknowledged its inconsistent application. Despite diversity and inclusion efforts, he noted, based on his PhD research, subject matter expertise, and first hand experience developing and providing Diversity and Inclusion Inventory Surveys, that public service demographics remain unrepresentative of Canadian diversity, particularly at the Executive level.</big>

<big>'''Common Fears in Negotiating'''</big>

<big>Equity-seeking groups and individuals with intersecting marginalized identities face significant barriers. For instance, Gérard highlighted that while women in general have gained representation in government, there are far fewer Black women, and “a Black woman who may have a disability will be a rarity within the federal public service.”</big>

<big>Fotini opened the Masterclass by asking participants to share their biggest fears when entering negotiations. Participants expressed anxieties such as coming across as incompetent, damaging relationships, and more.</big>  

<big>Sponsorship, Gérard explained, can counteract these gaps by enabling equitable access to career advancement opportunities. He emphasized treating others as they want to be treated, fostering individuality, inclusion, and empowerment—core principles of sponsorship as a form of inclusive leadership.</big>

<big>To manage these anxieties, Fotini suggested participants reflect on what’s at stake if they choose not to negotiate. The answer to that question can help them find their “why”: the core reason behind the negotiation. Fotini explained that starting with “why” is one of the best tactics for achieving successful negotiation outcomes.</big>  

<big>Samantha shared a personal story illustrating sponsorship's impact. Early in her career, a cubicle-mate became her sponsor years later by introducing her to an organization seeking her expertise. That pivotal connection eventually led to the creation of the LLMC program, which connects individuals across all levels of the public service, promoting mentorship and sponsorship.</big>

<big>Some other practical tips to manage negotiation anxieties that Fotini offered were to do research on the people you are negotiating with beforehand to understand what outcomes they want; to balance needs by considering what outcomes are possible for both parties; and to build relationships with the people you are entering into a negotiation with.</big>  

<big>The program exemplifies sponsorship’s ripple effect: one act of advocacy can catalyze systemic change. Gérard, Samantha, and Suzan emphasized that anyone can be a sponsor, regardless of position. Networking is critical to identifying these opportunities and creating meaningful connections.</big>

<big>'''Speaking from Facts'''</big>

<big>The LLMC program is a testament to the power of mentorship, sponsorship, and inclusion. By nurturing future leaders who champion diversity and equity, it takes concrete steps toward fostering workplaces that reflect Canada’s rich diversity. Inclusion is not just about words, it’s about actions, and the LLMC program is taking meaningful steps in the right direction.</big>

<big>The research step ahead of a negotiation is crucial, Fotini explained, because it allows the person entering the negotiation to speak from a place of fact rather than a place of opinion. Instead of beginning their sentences with the words “I think,” Fotini encouraged participants to use the words “Based on…”. Using “Based on” demonstrates knowledge of the subject and establishes credibility.</big>  

<big>To emphasize its transformative impact, the Diversity and Inclusion Office, Materiel Group, National Defence, hosts the annual Lifting as you Lead Mentoring Circles (LLMC) program—the largest group mentoring initiative supporting Defence Team members and federal public service employees at large.</big>  

<big>Establishing credibility in this way is key for all negotiations, but it is an especially important tool for those that are not members of the dominant group. Members of marginalized groups are less likely to be perceived as credible and more likely to be perceived as unreasonable and emotional. Understanding and accounting for the fact that these perceptions exist can help members of marginalized groups achieve better results when negotiating.</big>  

<big>The program's fourth cohort, running from September to December 2024, includes over 1,100 participants from 60+ departments. These individuals joined 150+ mentoring circles, attended biweekly Masterclasses, and expanded their networks through robust opportunities.</big>

<big>'''Introverts and the Power of Saying Less'''</big>

 

<big>In response to an audience question, Fotini shared that introverts make excellent negotiators because they are less likely to speak without thinking. She encouraged participants to press pause before responding during negotiations, explaining that saying less is one of the most powerful negotiation tools. Using a calm, fact-based approach and staying silent are skills that come naturally to introverts, making them some of the best negotiators.</big>

 

<big>By incorporating these techniques and insights, LLMC participants can now navigate negotiations more effectively, build stronger relationships, and achieve better outcomes, creating a better, more inclusive, and psychologically safer workplace for all.</big>

==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==

==<big>'''Recording'''</big>==

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