I’m lucky to be in a good area with a lot of data professionals merely a drive away. I’ve made some good friends and really improved my knowledge just by having them available. Sadly, a number have also moved away like Alicia Moniz and Brandon Leach, but they still left their mark upon me (in a good way). But, Kellyn Pot’vin-Gorman just moved into the area, literally a bike ride away (a long one), so we managed to have lunch. I respect Kellyn greatly due to her keen mind and the fact that she won’t pull any punches. We talked about a lot of different topics, but the one thing that stuck in my head was her comments about sponsorship.
I’m a big believer in mentoring and passing on knowledge, but I hadn’t really thought as much about sponsorship, but I’ve experienced it, both having it and not having it! I remember when I was questing for a mentor at one of my major jobs. I did find a few people who did give me some advice, but they didn’t SPONSOR me at all. Sponsorship doesn’t mean a handout, but it does mean helping someone becoming just that more visible, more real to the right people.
But, you have to start the visibility part yourself. I hate to equate it to a shotgun approach, but the more people you make yourself visible, the more likely you’ll meet someone who appreciates what you might have to offer and may be willing to help promote you and your voice to other people.
Speaking is a good way to do that, and so is blogging. I highly recommend the book Linchpin by Seth Godin. There’s a lot of great information in there, but one of the key points that stuck with me is that the traditional resume is not effective anymore, but what you’ve done, what you can show all matters now.
I’m digressing though. Can you sponsor someone? Can you help someone become a little more visible? Can you help them find a path that might be beneficial to them? You can’t lead them down the path, but you can at least make them aware of it being an option. I’ve helped a few people become more visible and I’m really proud of that. What are we if we can’t help others?
Go be nice to people and share some <3.
