A Debate about Going Beyond the Room: The Strategic Power of Workplace Advocacy

Catalyst Center for Work Innovation: The Debate · Sep 4, 2026 · 28m

This research examines the critical role of workplace advocacy, defined as the active championing of an individual’s career by influential leaders behind closed doors. It emphasizes a vital distinction between mentorship, which offers guidance, and sponsorship, which directly secures advancement and high-visibility opportunities. Research suggests that while formal systems exist, informal advocacy networks often dictate professional success, frequently creating barriers for women and underrepresented groups who may be over-mentored but under-sponsored. The research argues that organizations…