The Impacts of Role Models, Mentors, and Sponsors – A Chance to Throw the Ladder Down
Erika Gray and Dr. Jim Weese
Erika Gray is a PhD Candidate at the School of Human Kinetics at the University of Ottawa. This story is written by Erika based on her conversation with Dr. Jim Weese, a professor at the School of Kinesiology at Western University and the 2022 recipient of the NASSM Distinguished Sport Management Educator Award.
The impact that role models, mentors, and sponsors can have on young people who aspire to leadership roles is well documented in the literature (Burton, 2019; Cosentino et al., 2021; Gray & Weese, 2021). Mentorship specifically, has been found to increase job satisfaction and promote career progression (Baker et al., 2019), benefit personal growth and foster friendship (Dreher & Cox, 1996), and aid in leadership development (Scandura & Williams, 2004). In my research, I have come to appreciate that the individuals occupying leadership roles can be especially instrumental to the advancement of women in the sport industry. People who mentor their women colleagues can provide support, guidance, and opportunity (Burton et al., 2012; M'mbaha & Chepyator-Thomson, 2018). This act of mentorship, specifically from women colleagues, in turn could contribute to more women in leadership positions within the sport industry (Bower & Hums, 2009; Harris et al., 2015).
I am appreciative of the role models, mentors, and sponsors who have helped me in multiple stages of my development. One individual for whom I am especially grateful, is my Master’s program advisor, Dr. Jim Weese from Western University. It is no surprise that Dr. Weese was named the 2022 recipient of the NASSM Distinguished Sport Management Educator Award. I reached out to Dr. Weese after the award was announced, to congratulate him, and to discuss his thoughts on mentorship and the impact that individuals occupying these roles had on him. He was quick to highlight that he has been lucky and privileged to have significant mentors throughout his career. His graduate work and career started during the early stages of NASSM. One of his professors, Dr. Bob Boucher, was the first President of NASSM, and another, Dr. Gordon Olafson, was the first Co-editor of the Journal of Sport Management. These two individuals had incredible impact on Dr. Weese and his development as an educator. Dr. Boucher and Dr. Olafson introduced Dr. Weese to scholars across the globe, helping him to create career-long relationships and collaborations. They also showed great faith in him by trusting him with important tasks and responsibilities, such as chairing the 2nd annual NASSM conference early in his career.
In reflecting on his experience, Dr. Weese offered some tips for effective mentor relationships:
Extend the impact of your own mentors by serving as a role model, mentor, and/or sponsor for your students – throw the ladder down
Introduce your students to individuals that could be role models, mentors, or sponsors in the future (e.g., at conference settings or social events)
Recognize the benefits of mentoring and sponsorship for the next generation of sport management academicians and professionals
In addition to being an enriching part of the role, professionals can learn new skills such as innovative technologies and research methodologies, and different perspectives from their mentees
For students who hope to connect with a mentor at the upcoming NASSM Conference, here are some helpful tips that I have learned from my mentors:
Carry business cards with your name and contact information. Hand them out when you meet someone at the conference and get their contact details in return.
Follow-up after the conference – leverage social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to make these connections
Be open to learning about various experiences, and connect with people outside of your exact research area or geographic region
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Prepare questions ahead of time to ask your mentor! Be intentional about your meeting
Do your research beforehand, and have an idea of who you would like to meet with (e.g., by checking the NASSM presentations schedule)
Ask your supervisor to connect you to faculty beforehand and inquire about grabbing a beverage of choice at the conference
Follow-up with them after the conference, connect again, and thank your mentor for their time and attention. Let them know that you will pay it forward by serving as a mentor and sponsor to those you influence
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Remember the faculty member you speak to was in your shoes once, and, in all likelihood, someone helped them as a mentor as well
Dr. Weese shared the story of working with the graphic designer for the cover of his The 5C Leader book (Weese, 2018). Five ladders are displayed on the cover of his book. These ladders are purposeful. As Dr. Weese often states, if someone has had success in their career, they likely had help along the way, and they have an obligation to throw the ladder down to help the next generation, as a way of paying the debt forward. If we all continue to do that, our field will remain perpetually strong. I hope readers of this blog will understand the immense influence mentors can have on others and will try to “throw the ladder down” regardless of their stage of career!
The Mentor Initiative continues to be one of the most valuable student activities at the NASSM conference.
To participate, student members may visit this link and indicate their interest. Additionally, all student and faculty members are invited to the mentorship student engagement session on Friday March 25th from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (EST).
For more details on the NASSM Student Engagement Initiative and other programs, please visit NASSM.org and follow NASSM on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
References
Baker, A., Hums, M. A., Mamo, Y., & Andrew, D. P. (2019). Outcomes of mentoring relationships among sport management faculty: Application of a theoretical framework. Journal of Sport Management, 33(3), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.1123/jsm.2018-0100
Burton, L. J., Borland, J., & Mazerolle, S. M. (2012). "They cannot seem to get past the gender issue”: Experiences of young female athletic trainers in NCAA division I intercollegiate athletics. Sport Management Review, 15(3), 304–317. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smr.2012.01.001
Burton, L. J. (2019). Under-representation of women in leadership roles in women’s sport. In N. Lough & A. N. Geurin (Eds.), Routledge Handbook of the Business of Women's Sport (pp. 255–268). Routledge.
Bower, G. G., & Hums, M. A. (2009). Mentoring women to advance within leadership positions as international physical educators. Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal, 18(2), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.18.2.3
Cosentino, A., Weese, W. J. & Wells, J. E. (2021). Strategies to advance women: Career insights from senior leadership women in professional sport in Canada. Frontiers in Sport and Active Living (Sport Management and Marketing section). 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.716505
Dreher, G.F., & Ash, R.A. (1990). A comparative study of mentoring among men and women in managerial, professional, and technical positions. Journal of Applied Psychology, 75(5), 539–546. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.75.5.539
Gray, E., & Weese, W. J. (2021). Does the Next Generation of Sports Leaders Perceive the Presence of the Glass Ceiling and the Need to Shatter It? Insights of Undergraduate Students. Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 18(4). 1–16 https://doi.org/10.33423/jlae.v18i4.4642
Harris, K. F., Grappendorf, H., Aicher, T., & Veraldo, C. (2015). “Discrimination? Low pay? Long hours? I am still excited:” Female sport management students’ perceptions of barriers toward a future career in sport. Advancing Women in Leadership, 35, 12–21. https://doi.org/10.21423/awlj-v35.a128
M’mbaha, J. M., & Chepyator-Thomson, J. R. (2018). Factors influencing career paths and progress of Kenyan women in sport leadership. Qualitative Research Sport Exercise Health, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/2159676X.2018.1446042
Scandura, T. A., & Williams, E. A. (2004). Mentoring and transformational leadership: The role of supervisory career mentoring. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 65(3), 448–468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvb.2003.10.003
Weese, W.J. (2018). The 5C leader: Exceptional leadership practices for extraordinary times. Archway Publishing.