The mentors, sponsors and communities behind success

Over the years, the How did you get there? series has become a living library of career wisdom from some of the most respected leaders in insights, research, analytics and data. In this new series, we bring together the recurring lessons, advice and perspectives that emerged from those conversations—and explore what they mean for the rest of us.

One of the most uplifting discoveries from the How did you get there? series is how rarely successful leaders tell their stories as individual achievements.

In fact, many seem almost uncomfortable taking sole credit for their success.

Instead, they talk about the people who helped them along the way. The manager who spotted potential before they saw it in themselves. The mentor who provided perspective during a difficult decision. The colleague who offered encouragement at exactly the right moment. The sponsor who opened a door to an opportunity that would otherwise have remained closed.

Across interviews with leaders such as Bob Qureshi, Joy Uyanwune, Sarah Kotva, Sam Grey, Melissa Gonsalves and many others, there is a recurring appreciation for the people who shaped their journeys. While the details differ, the message is remarkably consistent: nobody succeeds alone.

This is an important reminder in a world that often celebrates individual achievement above all else. We are encouraged to focus on personal performance, personal ambition and personal success. Yet the stories captured throughout this series suggest that careers are rarely built in isolation.

They are built through relationships.

Many interviewees describe the profound impact of mentors. These are the people who provide guidance, challenge assumptions and help us navigate uncertainty. Often they have walked the path before us and can see possibilities we cannot yet see ourselves.

Equally important, though perhaps discussed less often, are sponsors. While mentors provide advice, sponsors create opportunities. They recommend us for projects, advocate for us in important rooms and help us gain access to experiences that accelerate our development. Looking across the archive, many leaders can point to pivotal moments where somebody else put their name forward, championed their potential or simply gave them a chance.

Another theme that emerges repeatedly is the importance of community. The most successful leaders rarely build networks purely for personal gain. Instead, they invest in genuine relationships. They contribute to professional communities, share knowledge, support peers and remain curious about people with different backgrounds and perspectives.

That openness matters.

Diverse networks expose us to new ideas, challenge our thinking and help us avoid becoming trapped within our own assumptions. Many of the leaders featured in this series actively seek out perspectives that differ from their own, recognising that better decisions are often the product of broader conversations.

Perhaps the most inspiring observation, however, is what happens as careers progress.

Those who benefited from support early in their journey often become passionate advocates for others. They mentor. They coach. They champion diversity. They create opportunities. They invest time and energy into helping the next generation succeed.

It is a pattern that runs throughout the How did you get there? archive.

The strongest leaders do not simply climb the ladder. They hold it steady for others. They understand that success is not measured solely by what we achieve ourselves, but by the opportunities we help create for those who follow.

In the end, the most enduring legacy is rarely a job title, a promotion or an award.

It is the impact we have on other people.

From insight to action

Identify both mentors and sponsors. You need people who can advise you and people who can advocate for you.

Invest in genuine relationships. The strongest networks are built through generosity, not transactions.

Seek out different perspectives. Diverse thinking leads to better decisions and broader opportunities.

Pay it forward. Someone helped you get where you are today. Look for opportunities to do the same for someone else.