Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor | Sylvia Ann Hewlett | Talks at Google

[@DeeHinz]

I've listened to this 3 times and I've now got some "action items" for myself. In particular, I like in the end when she gives an example how she uses the research to build her "new castle" (min 39:38) and be the protégé to a sponsor. Her example gave me an idea as to how to approach a sponsor I'd originally been looking at as a mentor. Thanks again.

[@DeeHinz]

Great presentation. It's nice to move beyond the discussion of diversity as a moral one, about "fairness". It's refreshing to put the information out there that diversity is about innovation and competitive advantage. I also appreciate that she's provided details and data regarding the effectiveness of mentoring and sponsorship. (I've noticed a few articles that women should stop searching for a mentor, because "they just need to show their worth", which seems to be a long way of saying, "Work harder and you'll be noticed!" An over simplification, in my book. I like that Hewlett's presentation provides a clear framework as to how to utilize a mentor AND how to identify and utilize a sponsor. I GREATLY appreciate the "currency" conversation(!) REALLY gave me pause, and made me ask myself, "Beyond my expertise, what skill do I offer that differentiates me?" Thanks again Google for having the conversations I can't find many other places!

[@Obsidian1392]

Excellent. I have just bought her Executive Presence book

[@MoerreNoseshine]

What stands out immediately when you look at the Amazon reviews for this book is that at least half, likely more of them are fake - extremely short but 5 stars. Example? How about this: "Just the book I need for a talk I have coming up on mentorship. I have recommended the book to others." The last time Google Talks let a "business book author" speak it was even worse and the fakes were even more obvious - so should I consider this an improvement?

[@og4108]

A few little fibs here Sylvia! That "lousy school" was one of the best grammar schools in Wales! And your "working class" father was a long way from the local "blokes" in Ponty .... (which I can assure you is not in one of the most bleak areas of South Wales). It seems that the accent is not the only thing that's been lost on the way to the top!

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

She is known to play fast and loose with the truth.

[@doright9681]

not really relevant nor does it take away from the speaking topic

[@og4108]

@@doright9681 I would think being truthful is always relevant - especially so when addressing a wide audience.

[@107suvendu]

I loved the joke. Its all classified.

[@studentdabble7876]

Any sponsor out there? Desperate guy looking for a sponsor

[@fingerhorn4]

This woman doesn't seem to have produced anything except a self-regarding confidence to tell others how to be "successful", while presenting (in all her books also) no actual evidence that she's generated any wealth at all, or productivity, or anything useful to others. At no point does she define what "diversity" actually is. It can mean a lot of things but generally is a woolly phrase devoid of meaning. We get the usual rags to riches Welsh upbringing story (getting rather tired now), followed by a lot of padding none of which has any real substance. I notice there appears no opportunity to question anything during at least this clip. Not surprising really as any critically aware person would have a field day running a sabre through this exercise in corpo-babble punctuated narcissism and pseudo executive drivel. And they all sit there passive and take in this garbage!

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

When she couldn't cut it in academia after being "denied tenure," i.e., fired, she went into government, and then when she left that, she created her own "business" on how to make the tiny number of elite women "succeed" in the tiny number of male-dominated corporate jobs. It didn't hurt that she is married to a wealthy husband. Although she is well-known and a bit of a media darling, she hasn't accomplished much. She has made her notoriety mostly at the expense of other women, chiefly feminists, by lying about them through her various books. Despite some pseudo-feminist and liberal trappings, she is a throwback to the 1950s. I am serious. She is extremely prejudiced against women who are not married and/or do not have children. She has written entire books trashing such women.

[@valleylady9092]

How can a person have such contempt for their home town, and their education? I also grew up in the same town as this lady. It was somewhat deprived, but full of wonderful , talented, artistic people, and it still is today. I also attended the same school as this lady, at the same time. it was a wonderful school, providing an excellent education, and anyone who managed to gain a place there considered themselves very privileged indeed. her father was very far from a working class 'bloke; indeed he was an academic. What a shame to see someone trash their upbringing, their education and their own lovely Welsh accent, as she does in most of her online lectures.

[@ValleyoftheRogue]

@@valleylady9092 A lot of people forget from where they came. It is sad, really. She should embrace her past, not dump it. However, she has always been a social climber.

[@RaistlinKishtar]

Too much wokeness for me I’m not wasting my time