Change efforts need to be proportional to the magnitude of the change being made. Major organizational change requires major effort and major change is too difficult to accomplish alone. It requires a supportive driving force to augment your personal sponsorship and direct leadership. As a leader you need to be surrounded by others who can help you lead the change, support you, and be a presence and resource throughout the organization and the effort. This is the function of the Sponsorship Network.
Depending on the size and complexity of your change effort, the Sponsorship Network may consist of up to five roles. They are highlighted here and described in greater detail in the tools linked below.
Sponsor
We’ve already established the most critical role in a change effort is the role of the leader. For the purpose of the Sponsorship Network, the leader is referred to as the Sponsor. As noted in What Is My Role as Leader in Foundations for Change, the Sponsor:
- Authorizes the change
- Sets the vision
- Provides direction and resources
- Holds organizational members accountable
Project Leader
The Sponsor is joined by the Project Leader in providing overall project leadership. The Project Leader leads the operational aspects of the change effort. She or he meets regularly and coordinates closely with the Sponsor. The Project Leader chairs the Steering Committee and is a member.
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee plays a central role in the Sponsorship Network and has four purposes.
- Governance (final decision rights for all important decisions)
- Guidance (direction setting)
- Oversight (review of progress)
- Active leadership.
The Steering Committee should be a microcosm of the organization and the number of members should be a function of strategic representation of relevant parts and levels of the organization.
Advocates
Advocates, in addition to the Sponsor, Project Leader, and Steering Committee members, are key individuals that actively promote the change in their part of the organization. In addition to representing the relevant parts and levels of change impacted areas, they are individuals who are recognized by their peers as having informal power and influence.
The Change Team
The Change Team is a group of about 5 to 7 people who serve as the tactical arm of the Steering Committee. The Change Team provides visible, active support throughout the change effort such as administering assessments, launching chartered teams and facilitating their efforts, keeping the pulse of the effort for the Steering Committee, and identifying and mitigating risks.
As you consider whom you should select for the various roles, all Sponsorship Network members should possess certain qualities and characteristics.
- Trustworthy - you can trust them and be confident that they have your back
- Appropriate mix - they represent relevant levels and functions
- Reputation - they are known as leaders who get things done
- Clout - they have power and influence in the organization and can help make things happen