EoE Academy Board Blog: Lydia Opayinka
The importance of sponsorship in the professional development of an individual’s career journey cannot be over emphasised. While mentorship focuses more on guidance, advice and counsel, sponsorship is more network and action-oriented. The Sponsorship relationship involves a sponsor who is a more senior leader taking an active role in supporting and promoting the career advancement of the sponsee. This may be achieved by using their influence and network to create opportunities that might otherwise remain inaccessible or through the sponsor being willing to advocate for the sponsee’s advancement.
In my career to date, both in the private sector and now within the NHS, I have been privileged to have had individuals either within a structured programme or via an organic framework who have contributed to my career journey. This has been in the form of mentors and sponsors who have in one way or another guided, encouraged and spurred me on to achieve the potential they have sensed in me.
Within the NHS finance community, the One NHS Finance Sponsorship programme provides such career support to high potential finance staff who are from under-represented groups. These include
- female colleagues
- individuals of ethnic minorities
- individuals with disabilities
- individuals who identify to the LGBTQIA+ community
To apply for the programme, it is expected that you must identify with one or more of the above-named under-represented groups.
With this information and an understanding that Sponsors are typically invested in the success of their sponsee because their reputation is often tied to the individual’s performance and success, I decided to explore the NHS Sponsorship programme.
At the time I joined the programme, top on my list of objectives was the desire to widen my network and receive strategic guidance aligned to my career aspiration. I have been able to achieve this through proactively driving the direction of my own sponsorship relationship by communicating to my sponsor my career aspirations, being authentic, being trustworthy and seeking to deliver at a high level in all my roles.
I have also been able to cultivate genuine connections with sponsors who have been able to provide access to their network of influential people who have been able to further support my career. To make the most of this support, it has sometimes been necessary to demonstrate my potential by taking on challenging assignments and demonstrating the value I can add.
To further enhance this I have been an active member of the East of England sponsee network which I joined at the start of my sponsorship journey. The Network’s monthly sessions cover a range of areas including an opportunity to explore career development topics, provide support to other members through discussion of problems which they may be experiencing and share good news stories of what members have achieved in their individual journeys.
Through the Sponsorship Programme, I have learnt to see things from a completely different angle and support development in a completely different way in addition to those skills I had experienced from simply being a line manager. This has then led to my taking up the role of being a Sponsor for others, as it would enable the following:
- ‘pay it forward’ to others,
- be seen as a leader who develops others
- gain information that leads to growth
- gain personal and professional satisfaction
It is my belief that increased participation by people in leadership positions in the sponsorship program should be normalised as a professional expectation. If you would like to become a sponsor you can find more information and sign up here https://onenhsfinance.nhs.uk/programmes/sponsorship-programme/id-like-to-be-a-sponsor/
Whether you’re seeking a sponsor or thinking of becoming one, this dynamic relationship can catalyze growth, open doors, and foster a culture of support and success. In today’s competitive workplace, having someone who not only believes in your potential but also actively champions it is invaluable. it is always important to remember that the sponsorship relationship may require effort but the rewards are well worth it.
I hope my words have encouraged you to get involved in the Sponsorship Programme. If you want to find out more visit the Sponsorship Programme web page here.
