The Value of Paying It Forward

Hi everyone,

First of all, for all those observing, Ramadan Mubarak! If you want to learn more and think about supporting folks observing Ramadan in the workplace, check out this great guide by?Muslamic Makers.

What an exciting time the last few weeks have been on Canada’s policy and public affairs calendar!

Recently, my LinkedIn and Twitter has been full of folks who were present in what I will term the ‘Canada-US Prom’, the State Dinner in honour of U.S. President Joe Biden, who visited Canada last week on Thursday and Friday. It culminated President Biden’s first visit to Canada since being inaugurated.

Another key event on the horizon: tonight is Federal Budget eve.

Since the pandemic began in 2020, federal budget-making has taken on heightened importance in the increasingly complex world we are navigating, whether it be escalating geopolitical tensions, inflationary pressures, the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an inflammatory political context mired in hate and violence, uncertainty of what the future holds and questions about whether upward prosperity is even possible, especially for Millennials, Gen Z and future generations.

Within these circumstances, public policy entrepreneur and former?Tyler Meredith, a veteran budget-maker (who has been behind the last seven or so Federal Budgets), shares the?10 things he is looking for in Tuesday’s Federal Budget?- a must-read before tomorrow’s budget drops at 4 pm ET.

Budgets are political documents that highlight what a government or administration deems a priority - let’s see what makes the cut, especially in this constrained financial climate. Many signals point to fiscal restraint being an overriding objective for this year’s Federal Budget. At the same time, other signals highlight that the moment also demands strategic investments in initiatives to combat the complex issues we are facing in 2023 and beyond.

I’ll be looking forward to analyses on the budget - keen to see what the?Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives?will put out. I had an opportunity to contribute to their?Alternative Federal Budget,?so be sure to check out before the Federal Budget is released to see what aligns and diverges from what advocates have been calling for. For the global development and humanitarian sector, tune into commentary from?Bigger than our Borders?and?Cooperation Canada?(happening on April 4).

Speaking of ‘prom’, a highly anticipated event in the policy and public affairs calendar is the Testimonial Dinner, a veritable prom for Canada’s policy wonks (typically sandwiched between the Public Policy Forum's Growth Summit and Toronto Metropolitan University Leadership Lab’s Wonk Prom). I hope to see many of you in attendance - drop me a line if you’ll be attending!

Today’s post, the 3rd in a series on career navigation (the first one focused on the power of building community, and?the second one on the impact of giving back), will focus on the value of paying it forward.

Right now, there is a dearth of members of underrepresented communities securing positions of leadership, decision-making, and influence, from senior management roles to board directors, to politics and public affairs.

Too often, women and people of colour are not accessing a vital ingredient to career progression and advancement: sponsorship.

These articles in the Harvard Business Review outline?the difference between mentors and sponsors?(by?Janice Omadeke)?and?the ABCDs of sponsorship: Amplifying, Boosting, Connecting, and Defending (by?Rosalind Chow).

In the workplace, sponsorship can look like securing?high-profile ‘stretch assignments’?for your protégés to increase their?visibility?and build their?track record.

It can look like nominating them for?promotions,?awards?and?fellowships. It means?amplifying the achievements?of protégés,?speaking their name?in?rooms of opportunities, and, when needed,?protecting them from unfair backlash or critique. Sponsorship also means sharing your?social capital?and?opening up your networks.

Now, this is by no means necessary or required. However, it is an important pathway, alongside public policy, to level the playing field and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace—an effective way to put your allyship into practice.

As you can see, there are many different ways to practice sponsorship. In April, I challenge you to sponsor at least two people in your network, ideally folks from underrepresented communities. I would love to hear about your experiences - let me know your reflections.

Now a question I hear often: how does one secure a sponsor?

I’ll share some reflections on that in a future post. For now, the most foundational piece of advice I can share: invest in the relationship (do not be transactional) and be someone who is seen as effective in their role and a solutions-oriented team player. Again, it is not guaranteed that someone will take you on as a protégé, but folks will be more willing to invest in you if they see you as a rising star that invests in themselves and others and someone they would like to associate their career brand with.

On that note, I am so grateful to this incredible community of subscribers - your messages of support, feedback, and stories of how you’ve taken the tips shared in this newsletter and applied them to your own career journey are so appreciated. Please continue to share your experiences.

Next month will be a busier period than usual on the personal and professional front (that’s why I’m publishing 2 newsletters in March instead of 1 in April)! Enjoy - this newsletter is packed with 50 jobs and many professional development opportunities, events, and recommended reads.

Till we speak again - take good care!

Sincerely,

Anjum

PS: This newsletter will be on hiatus in April. I’ll be back in May. I’m considering hosting a gathering in Toronto for subscribers + the broader policy and public affairs community in June. If I did, would you come? Message me + let me know!

PPS: If you haven’t yet, hit the subscribe button below:

https://bit.ly/The-Value-Of-Paying-It-Forward-Substack-Newsletter-Anjum-Sultana-March-2023