leadership

6 questions to evaluate candidates.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

sponsorship is a personal undertaking. a man who sponsors a woman takes it upon himself to advance her career. he puts his reputation on the line for her and tells the world she is worth it.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: how to fight flextime saboteurs | how to help your protégée project the right image | how to promote your protégée to coworkers | 8 steps to guiding your protégée | 17 ways to follow through on sponsorship | how protégées can help sponsors

she still has to earn that promotion, but his solid, public vote of confidence – and the power he puts behind it – at least gives her a fair chance to get it.
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flexible scheduling can benefit everyone, but some people don’t see it that way.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

a talented, ambitious woman who works less than full time or takes extended family leave is extremely vulnerable to being derailed professionally.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: 14 ways to keep sex from wrecking something great | how to help your protégée project the right image | 17 ways to follow through on sponsorship | beware misunderstandings about work relationships | fears of innuendo, gossip impede development | women must see politics as leadership | why some women resist using networks | bias persists against women with children | standards for women still differ | 5 ways women get shoved aside | why men don’t see women as leaders | thanks for the advice, but i’d really prefer a promotion | 18 ways to boost your protégée | women leaders provide 6 market advantages | why cpa firms need more women | beyond mentoring to sponsorship

whether because she is “out of sight/out of mind,” or because people doubt her commitment, she may be disregarded for promotions or high-profile projects.
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apply a presumption of innocence.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

if you are concerned about the possibility of sex-related problems, consider the degree of risk involved and whether you are willing to assume it.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: how to help your protégée project the right image | how to promote your protégée to coworkers | 8 steps to guiding your protégée | 17 ways to follow through on sponsorship | how protégées can help sponsors | fears of innuendo, gossip impede development | women must see politics as leadership | why some women resist using networks | bias persists against women with children | why men don’t see women as leaders | thanks for the advice, but i’d really prefer a promotion | 18 ways to boost your protégée

before you decide, consider

• first that you might be exaggerating the risk, and
• second that this is a risk that can be prevented and managed.

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‘soft skills’ advice is needed, especially with ‘double bind’ issues.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

feedback is important at any level of professional development.

more on sponsoring women for leadership for pro members: how to promote your protégée to coworkers | can you afford to be a sponsor? | fears of innuendo, gossip impede development | bias persists against women with children | why men don’t see women as leaders | 18 ways to boost your protégée

but for a woman trying to become a leader, honest, clear and practical feedback is essential. she needs to know both how well she is performing and how to project the image she wants others to have of her.
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9 ways to help her get better assignments.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

promoting your protégée to others is an important part of sponsorship.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: how protégées can help sponsors | why some women resist using networks | 5 ways women get shoved aside | why men don’t see women as leaders | why cpa firms need more women

here are nine concrete steps:

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how you can steer her to opportunities.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

once you have identified a woman to sponsor and determined that you click, you may be wondering how to get started.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: can you afford to be a sponsor? | fears of innuendo, gossip impede development | women must see politics as leadership | why some women resist using networks | 5 ways women get shoved aside | women leaders provide 6 market advantages | why cpa firms need more women

here are some concrete steps to take:
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an effective sponsorship requires work from both parties.

by ida o. abbott
sponsoring women: what men need to know

when you sponsor a woman, there are many steps that you can take to ensure that the relationship is productive and achieves its objectives.

more on sponsoring women for leadership: can you afford to be a sponsor? | how protégées can help sponsors | beware misunderstandings about work relationships | fears of innuendo, gossip impede development | women must see politics as leadership | why some women resist using networks | bias persists against women with children | standards for women still differ | thanks for the advice, but i’d really prefer a promotion

here are some tips for getting off to a strong start and following through effectively, especially by focusing on career opportunities and promoting your protégée to others.
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