The Sponsorship Edge

The Sponsorship Edge

Programme

Because hard work isn’t enough – unlock your executive career with advocacy that counts

“Such a powerful and reflective space for us to explore leadership and sponsorship from within. It sparked some important shifts in perspective for me. And the energy in the room was just incredible. “

Are you giving your all, delivering top results and still not advancing?

You’re not alone. Many brilliant, ambitious women feel stuck – passed over for promotion, left out of influential conversations and held in roles that don’t reflect their full capability. One of the biggest, unspoken barriers is the lack of sponsorship by senior figures. Research shows women are under-sponsored by more than 50% in organisations – the challenge is even more acute for women of colour and other backgrounds. 

This modular programme gives you the confidence and know-how to leverage sponsorship, using a unique science-backed blend of self-awareness, peer learning, real-world examples and practical tools.

Seize this chance to activate champions for what you truly bring to the executive table and elevate your career to heights unreached before.

What do you get from the programme?

Through six modules, you:

  • Understand

    what sponsorship is (and is not) and assess the “Sponsorship Gap” in your career

  • Explore

    your leadership identity and how that influences your sponsorship potential

  • Plan

    your strategic alliances and career moves, showing up with authenticity and impact

  • Practice

    developing trusted sponsorship relationships in various complex settings

  • Discover

    your way to drive change, powering up sponsorship for yourself and others

You walk away with a personalised “Sponsorship Roadmap” that crystalises your insights and charters your way forward. 

You can also opt for 1:1 coaching to receive additional support and keep momentum after the programme.

What does the programme cover?

  • Why advocacy, not just hard work, propels leadership growth

    • Demystify what sponsorship is and why it’s vital for advancing to more senior roles

    • Reflect on your career so far through visualisation and peer connection

    • Surface the biggest questions and pain points around being sponsored

  • What shapes you and the way you lead, from past to future

    • Explore leadership as part of your identity, not simply a role or title

    • Discover hidden drivers and influences on your leadership potential

    • Shape your leadership narrative rooted in your values and life story

  • How to plot the right people and paths forward, balancing focus and flexibility

    • Envision your possible roles, sponsors and career steps

    • Create and position for developmental alliances that build and adjust over time

    • Develop your inner circle to move forward with clarity and backing

  • What it takes to connect, engage and show up in more senior settings

    • Craft your way to be seen, heard and add value – without losing yourself in the process

    • Discern opportunities that boost or deplete sponsorship potential

    • Master everyday situations and scenarios, from hidden biases to virtual presence

  • How to manage sponsorship relationships with mutual trust and value

    • Learn how to manage expectations and dynamics with your sponsor

    • Practice real-world scenarios to strengthen confidence and impact

    • Explore how gender, culture and organisational norms shape the sponsorship relationship

  • What may still hold you and others back – sponsorship in the long run

    • Explore strategies to navigate sponsorship dynamics with other stakeholders

    • Uncover underlying norms and habits that block progress

    • Step into your own power as a sponsor and foster inclusion for others

  • How to make sponsorship-building efforts with a trusted coach by your side

    • Deepen your self-awareness as an evolving leader

    • Learn from ongoing practice, guided by your Sponsorship Roadmap

    • Feel supported and motivated, with a dose of challenge where needed

How does it work?

Modules

  • Format: 6 x 2-hour learning workshops

  • Mode: in person at The Nine (rue Archimède 69, 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Timing: 19:00 to 21:00 CET (pre-drinks and networking from 18:30 CET)

  • Dates: 23 September, 14 October, 4 November, 25 November and 16 December 2025 and 13 January 2026

Applied learning

  • Preliminary survey and curated reading before programme (time commitment: 1 – 2 hours)

  • Reflective and practical exercises between each module (time commitment: 5 – 8 hours)

Follow-on coaching (optional)

  • Format: 3 x 1-hour sessions with Helen

  • Mode: virtual

  • Timing: scheduled within three months after programme

The programme is generously hosted by The Nine, Belgium’s first-ever women-focused private member’s club. The Nine organises many cultural, professional, and social events throughout the year focused on stimulating and shaping gender equality conversations.

What do past participants say?

  • To start from scratch with a group that has not been asked before who they truly are, what truly matters and how to find a professional shape for those things (let alone developing leadership) is quite a venture. I loved how tangible the conversations were

  • “I wanted to say a huge thank you for everything. Your enthusiasm, energy and the way you shared both the material and your personal stories made a big impact. It was both inspiring and engaging.”

  • “I had a truly inspiring experience, because of the contents and of your guidance, that created a powerful synergy in the group! Lots of take away and food for thought.”

How much does it cost?

6-module programme  

All: €425
Members of The Nine: €350

6-module programme
+ follow-on coaching 

Prices exc. VAT

All: €845
Members of The Nine: €695

Follow-on coaching

(booked after programme)

All: €510
Members of The Nine: €420

Is this right for you?

The programme is designed for professional women in the mid-to-senior stages of their career who want to better understand and build sponsorship for leadership growth.

You are likely to:

  • Have 15+ years’ professional experience

  • Be managing or leading people

  • Hold Senior Manager, Director, Senior Director or similar titles

Every person and context are different. If you’re interested but unsure, please get in touch and we’d love to discuss whether the programme is right for you.

Watch this space!

The Sponsorship Edge for early-to-mid-career women is in the making and plans are afoot for other European locations and an online version. To be kept updated, join our list.