Do you remember the age of the “good old boy” network? At the time it was a staple of the workplace culture, often characterized by exclusivity and informality. This network was known for its power to boost careers and open doors—but only for a select few. Despite its negative aspects, the network’s core feature was its strong advocacy and protection for its members. Ironically, if the fundamentals of the “good old boy” network could be applied universally to today’s workplace, it could go a long way toward improving employee development and diversity in the office place because the primary strength of the network was its ability to mobilize resources and opportunities swiftly and effectively. If we just strip away the exclusivity, we’d find a model of active sponsorship that can be incredibly powerful.

Join us for this episode of the Career PROgressions Podcast. Our conversation with Dr. Lisa Toppin will help you learn how to find sponsors for your career and become a career sponsor for others the right way.

Dr. Toppin has been an HR leader and champion of diversity for multiple Fortune 500 companies for over 20 years. She has helped business leaders advance inclusion, diversity, equity, and innovation in every aspect of their organization. And, oh yes… she has sponsored and been sponsored throughout her career. I hope you’ll reserve some time for a word from our sponsor!

Want to learn more about career sponsorships? Check out these resources:

Forget a Mentor, Find a Sponsor by Sylvia Ann Hewlett⁠

⁠The Sponsor Effect by Sylvia Ann Hewlett

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