Executive sponsors play an important role in helping employee resource groups (ERGs) thrive, offering strategic guidance and advocating for the group at the leadership table. Whether you’re a seasoned executive sponsor or brand new, our executive sponsor roadmap can help you maximize your impact as you navigate the first 90 days and beyond.
Day 1: Getting to know your ERG
Your first priority as an executive sponsor should be to get to know your ERG. Review the ERG’s strategy, priorities, objectives, and accomplishments, and set up time to meet with ERG leaders to better understand their needs and expectations.
Consider the following:
How does the ERG serve employees and the business, and where do you fit in?
What are the greatest challenges facing the ERG in both the near-term and long-term?
What skill sets do you have as a senior leader that could help the ERG achieve its objectives?
For your first meeting with your ERG leader, ask them to prepare a slide deck that gives a brief overview of the ERG’s history, its purpose, accomplishments, future plans, and challenges. This can be helpful in shaping your conversation and setting the stage for your role as a strategic advisor.
Day 30: Identifying tangible actions
At this point in your role as an ERG executive sponsor, you should have a clearer understanding of the various ways you can provide support. This support can be either direct, such as by providing feedback and guidance to ERG leaders directly; or indirect, such as by advocating for the ERG among other senior leaders.
Consider the following:
Is there anyone in your network who may have unique experience or expertise to provide to your ERG leaders?
What can senior leaders do to support your ERG’s cause and how can you help to influence them?
Are there any leadership skills you can help your ERG leader gain (e.g., leading a meeting with senior leaders, setting a strategy, etc.)?
What are your personal goals as an executive sponsor? How can you use this experience to strengthen your own leadership practices?
Day 90: Assessing, reflecting & adjusting
Assess and reflect on your first 90 days as an executive sponsor, checking in with your ERG leader and adjusting where needed. Where new challenges have emerged, discuss ways that you can provide support; where challenges have been successfully addressed, discuss what went well.
Consider the following:
How can you promote mutual accountability with your ERG leader?
Are you informed on a regular basis about ERG progress in order to provide maximum support and guidance?
What leadership feedback do you have for your ERG leader to help them grow and develop their skills?
What tangible actions have you taken to support your ERG?
Beyond 90 days: Supporting & engaging
As you move past the first 90 days of being an executive sponsor, you should continue to familiarize yourself with not only your own ERG, but the community of ERGs across your organization. Connect with other executive sponsors and ERG leaders where possible to help gain a broader understanding of common challenges and shared opportunities.
Consider the following:
Check in with your ERG leader on a regular basis
Where feasible, attend ERG meetings or events to help build familiarity with members and promote visibility
Encourage colleagues, such as other leaders, to become executive sponsors or get involved in supporting ERGs
Ask for feedback from your ERG leader on your support as an executive sponsor and provide feedback to them to help them grow as leaders
Whether you’re an experienced executive sponsor or brand new, the executive sponsor roadmap offers actionable guidance to help you make a lasting impact—during your first 90 days and beyond.
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Download the Executive sponsor roadmap for guidance and support navigating your first 90 days and beyond
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