IIP124 3 Ways Sponsorship Can Address the Gender Gap in Leadership
Release Date: 06/07/2024
Inclusion in Progress
This is the final episode of Inclusion in Progress. As we wrap up this show after six years, we want to thank you for all of your support.
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how to create structure for your distributed team — without taking away their flexibility? We often hear leaders ask how to balance business needs with employees’ desire for autonomy. That’s where Core Hours with Flexibility comes in: a distributed work model that allows everyone to work when they’re at their best, while still ensuring there’s dedicated time each day for real-time collaboration. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how some companies manage to attract top global talent while giving employees full freedom to work from anywhere? In 2025, over 35 million people now identify themselves as digital nomads. So what if your organization was able to tap into the power of a workforce that truly works — and comes from — anywhere? Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams: The Digital Nomad-Friendly Model — used by companies like Doist. We cover: How...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered if your organization could deliver better results while giving people more freedom? The Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) from CultureRx asks leaders to shift the focus from time and location to measurable outcomes — but the change is as much cultural as it is operational. In this episode we cover: What ROWE looks like in practice and where it originated The leadership and measurement changes required to make results-first work The risks and common pitfalls — and how to design safeguards to protect collaboration and fairness We’ll be breaking down...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can support a truly global, culturally diverse team — without losing alignment or connection? Many companies offer work-from-anywhere policies, but few have mastered how to build inclusive, cross-border collaboration into their strategy. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams: The Work-From-Anywhere + Cross-Cultural Hybrid Model — inspired by companies like Spotify. We cover: How to balance location flexibility with cultural...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can create more agile, well-rounded leaders across your organization — without sacrificing flexibility or work-life balance? We often talk about developing talent and succession planning as if they’re separate from our distributed work strategy. But if you’re not intentional about how career growth happens across remote and hybrid setups, you risk losing great talent to stagnation or burnout. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with global teams:...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how to preserve the freedom and focus of remote work — without losing the connection and collaboration that comes from being together in person? Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Fully-Remote with Regional Hubs — which allows global leaders like you to provide flexibility without sacrificing belonging and in-person connection. We cover: How to foster in-person collaboration — without...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
In the span of a few short years, our understanding of how, when, and where work happens has shifted in ways that once seemed impossible. During this time, people were able to experiment with their personal work styles and preferences — what allows them to be more productive and efficient — and found that they could be just as effective outside of the office. But what if physical office spaces transformed into creative and collaborative hubs instead of just mandatory checkpoints for your teams? On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
The term “hybrid work” brings up different things for different people and organizations. But even we at Inclusion in Progress can agree: hybrid work in its current iteration is fundamentally broken because it still focuses so heavily on where work gets done — rather than how to make it work better — no matter where people are physically located. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Virtual-First with Planned...
info_outlineInclusion in Progress
For this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we continue our Distributed Work Expert Series with someone (gasp!) outside of the tech industry! With this series, we’ve been highlighting some of the world’s leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how work looks from inside forward-thinking companies — designing a version of work that works for teams — regardless of where they choose to work. Our goal is to highlight distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to: Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world...
info_outlineIn our post-pandemic world, many more companies have distributed workforces.
Which means many of the HR, Talent and People leaders that we engage with are having to rethink and redefine how to close the gender gap in leadership — when many no longer share the same physical office space or cultural context.
With that said, research shows that sponsorship remains one of the most effective ways to close the gender gap in leadership.
So how do you know when a sponsorship program is right for you? And how do you apply and launch a sponsorship program for a distributed work environment?
On this episode of the Inclusion in Progress podcast, we look at three ways sponsorship can address the gender gap in leadership — and how you can apply our findings to your own distributed workforce.
At Inclusion in Progress, LLC, we’re passionate about Inclusive Distributed Work™ because we have been afforded the opportunities to advance and advise others in 35+ countries, across generational and cultural differences, while supporting our teams’ experiences with autism, depression, anxiety and ADHD.
We know that Inclusive Distributed Work™ works. So if you’d like to work with us this year to implement our signature framework in your organization, email us at info@inclusioninprogress.com to book your free consultation call with us.
#sponsorship #leadership #genderequity #inclusivedistributedwork #futureofwork
TIMESTAMPS:
[2:59] Sponsorship can address gender gap in leadership through structured opportunities.
[7:23] How sponsorship increases visibility and accessibility for women to enhance their careers and promote them into positions of leadership.
[9:45] Sponsorship benefits both sponsors and protegees, creating a structured allyship opportunity.
[12:27] Kay shares how remote work helped her find creative solutions to mental health and professional obstacles.
LINKS:
www.inclusioninprogress.com/podcast
www.linkedin.com/company/inclusion-in-progress
Download our 2024 Whitepaper: "How Cybersecurity Companies Can Retain, Promote & Advance Women to Minimize the Gender Gap"
Listen to our previous episode where we discuss Do Your Teams Need Mentorship or Sponsorship? How to Understand the Difference.
Want us to partner with you on building more inclusive distributed work? Get in touch to learn how we can tailor our services to your company’s DEI and remote work initiatives.
Read our Forbes features on Ways to Support Employee Mental Wellbeing, What Self Care Looks Like For Us, and How to Create Effective Online Diversity Training.
Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.