How to impress leaders in limited time - to open doors

Last week, something unexpected happened.

A client asked me to present my insights to their Board. I didn’t ask for this opportunity, I didn’t even hint at it. They came to me and said: “We want to give you more exposure.”

That’s the power of a strong sponsor relationship: They don’t just support you when you ask, they create opportunities you didn’t even know existed.

But here’s what most people get wrong about sponsors.

They think finding one is the finish line. It’s not - it’s the starting line. You want your relationship to last - and make sure that when an opportunity comes up, you’re the first person they think of.

Here’s the challenge: most of us don’t get much time with senior leaders. Maybe it’s a monthly check-in. A few minutes after a meeting. A quick coffee once a quarter. So how do you build a strong relationship when your interactions are limited? You make every moment count.

Today, I want to share three simple behaviours that make your sponsor relationship stronger - even when you don’t have much facetime.

And if you don’t have a sponsor yet? These same behaviours work with any senior leader you want to build a deeper connection with - a mentor, a manager, or someone whose career path inspires you.

#1: Become their thinking partner

When your sponsor talks, don’t just nod along. Really listen, then summarise what they said in your own words.

Not word for word, that sounds like a parrot. And they’ll know you’re just using a tactic.

Instead, think of it like this: if you had to explain what they just said in one or two sentences, what would you say?

Then share that with them.

I recently did this with this client. Before I shared my solution, I started with a reflection of the challenge - a quick summary of what I understood. They loved it and said it helped them see the problem more clearly than before.

Here’s why this works: Most people are too busy thinking about what they’ll say next. When you truly listen and reflect back, you become valuable. You help them think faster. You become someone they want to talk to again.

How to do this yourself:

In your next conversation with your sponsor, pause before responding. Ask yourself: what’s the main thing they just said? Then start with something like, “So if I understand correctly, the challenge is...” Watch how they lean in.

#2: Turn their advice into a conversation

When your sponsor gives you advice, don’t just say “thanks” and move on.

Ask questions and share your thoughts. Really engage with it.

On this recent client project, I received feedback on my presentation style. My first instinct was to nod and say thank you. But instead, I asked: “Can you tell me more about what you noticed?” I shared what I was trying to achieve. We had a real conversation about it.

The result? I got even better advice, because they saw that I genuinely wanted to learn.

Here’s the truth: sponsors look for people with a growth mindset. People who want to improve. The best way to show that isn’t just to take their advice. It’s to think about it out loud with them.

How to do this yourself:

Next time your sponsor gives you advice, try this: “That’s really helpful. Can I share what I was thinking and get your reaction?” This turns a one-way tip into a two-way partnership. And when you finally act on their advice, send them a quick update on what happened. They’ll remember that.

#3: Learn how they like to work

People drop hints about their preferences all the time. Most of us miss them.

Is your sponsor a morning person or an evening person? Don’t ask for an early meeting with someone who usually starts work late.

Do they like to collaborate along the way? Don’t just show up with finished work. Bring them in earlier.

Do they prefer calls or emails? Match their style.

These seem like small things. But they’re not - they make the difference between a relationship that feels easy and one that feels like effort.

For that recent client, I noticed they liked to be involved early. So I gave them more opportunities for feedback than I usually would. I shared rough drafts instead of polished versions. They felt included, the work got better, and our relationship got stronger.

How to do this yourself:

Pay attention in your next few interactions. Notice when they seem energised and when they seem drained. Notice how they respond to different communication styles. Then adjust. These are easy changes that make the relationship ten times better.

The bigger picture

I wrote a few months ago about how to find a sponsor and turn a mentor into one. The key steps: choose someone with real influence, show up as a partner, and let them see you in action. If you missed it, you can read it here.  

Here’s what I’ve learnt since then: the depth of your sponsor relationship matters a lot.

Over your career, you’ll build a network of sponsors. You can’t predict when opportunities will come. But you can increase your luck - and open more doors - by making these relationships deeper and stronger.

Start with one sponsor. Try one of these three behaviours this week.

Because somewhere out there, an opportunity is waiting. And when it comes up, you want to be the first person they think of.