Perspectives sur le pouvoir du parrainage dans l'avancement de carrière : Aperçu de la classe de maître Diriger en élevant les autres
Insights on the Power of Sponsorship in Career Advancement: Insights from the Lifting as you Lead Masterclass
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.