In 2026, Don’t Just Find Mentors - Build Sponsors Too
By Elizabeth Blass
As we set intentions for a new year, career advice tends to sound familiar:
Find a mentor.
Ask for feedback.
Keep learning.
All of that matters. But there’s one distinction I wish I had understood early in my career:
Mentorship gives you perspective. Sponsorship creates momentum.
Mentors help you think better. They offer advice, share lessons, and help you navigate decisions. Sponsors do something different and equally important. They use their influence to advocate for you when you’re not in the room. They put your name forward. They take a risk on you. Some people see you for what they want you to do. Sponsors see your potential and what is best for you.
One of the most pivotal moments in my career didn’t come from a formal development plan or a self-driven leap. It came from a manager who noticed potential I hadn’t yet named for myself and encouraged me to step into a leadership role I hadn’t even considered. That act of sponsorship changed my trajectory.
Here’s what I’ve learned since:
Mentors help you prepare for the next step.
Sponsors help you get the next step.
Both matter. But they are not interchangeable.
As you think about your career in 2026, whether you’re early in your journey or already leading teams, I encourage you to ask yourself a few honest questions:
Who is helping me grow my skills and confidence? (Mentors)
Who is willing to advocate for me when it counts? (Sponsors)
And just as importantly: who am I sponsoring?
Sponsorship isn’t transactional. It’s built through trust, consistent performance, and visibility. It often starts small - raising someone’s name in a meeting, assigning a stretch opportunity, or creating space for someone to be seen.
Takeaway:
If you want to accelerate your career path, don’t just collect advice. Build relationships that create forward motion and be that force for others, too.
These themes are woven throughout my chapters in The Customer Success Talent Playbook, where I break down career progression from Associate CSM through executive leadership, and the specific moves that actually unlock growth at each stage.
Here’s to a year of intention, advocacy, and momentum for yourself and others.
