Jo Miller, Women's Leadership Speaker & CEO, Be Leaderly sits down with Lisa Martin for VMware's Women Transforming Technology event. #wt2sv #vmware #womenintech https://siliconangle.com/2020/05/18/empathy-becomes-an-unexpected-essential-for-pandemic-business-survival-wt2sv/ Mentoring good, sponsorship better There are plenty of talented, experienced, and naturally compassionate women ready to step up as empathy gains importance as a management trait. Yet, the business world has only recently seen an uptick of women in leadership positions, with a recent McKinsey report identifying one’s initial promotion to managerial roles as the biggest obstacle. The problem is that women believe working hard and being the best at their job will get them a promotion. Unfortunately, the opposite is often true, according to Miller. “Being indispensable in your current role won’t move your career forward,” Miller said. In her book “Woman of Influence,” she lays out the steps for women to build their personal brand and be recognized for their contributions to the company. “Reinvent and reimagine how you want to be perceived as a leader,” she said. “What’s that new value proposition that you have to offer in this changed world that’s going to continue changing.” Many women seek mentors to help them climb the corporate ladder. A better tactic is to attract the attention of a sponsor, according to Miller. “[Sponsors] go beyond giving the feedback and the advice in order to bring their accumulated political and social and career capital to move your career forward within an organization,” Miller said. “Mentors will certainly talk to you, but a sponsor is someone who will talk about you.” Women should take a self-inventory and know the unique skills they bring to the table; the problems only they can solve; and what leadership gaps they can fill, Miller explained. “Sponsorship is not something that you would probably go and directly request; it’s something that you earn,” she said.