Over the years, I’ve mentioned a number of people who have influenced my career. More specifically, these people have sponsored me and my work, including Clayton Christensen, Boris Groysberg, Bob Proctor, Marshall Goldsmith, Alan Mulally, and Harry Kraemer.
To varying degrees, their influence has been life-altering. And to be sure, this is an embarrassment of riches.
But I’ve noticed that all of these people have something in common.
They are all men, most of whom are, or would be, in their 60s, 70s, or 80s, with the exception of Boris Groysberg, who is in his 50s.
Which makes me wonder: Is there some bias inherent in who I identify as having influenced me? Do I have a blind spot when I evaluate the magnitude to which I perceive others have made a difference in my life?
From a sponsorship perspective, it makes sense that accomplished men have helped me along. Historically, men, principally white men, have held more power. Therefore, power has been theirs to wield and bestow.
But is it also the case that when I or anyone talks about people who have influenced us, there’s social capital in whose names we mention?
There’s research suggesting that a man’s voice carries more weight; I wrote about this when it came time to do the recording for my first book. We are also more likely to invest in men than women.
But when it comes to sponsorship and mentorship, where the influence has been game-changing, who else would I name of of the people that I’ve met and interacted with?
I’ve shared in the past that I’ve committed that before I blurb a book, I look for underrepresented groups to either be the author, or the subject of, or cited, etc., in that book.
But now I’m wondering if there’s a way to further this by looking for those who are the positive ‘influencers’ in my life.
Is it possible that there have been many sponsors that I could name, but because it looks different coming from an underrepresented group, including the anonymous, many without familiar names, I don’t acknowledge or recognize them?
For example, what about my mother, Nancy Nuttall Wilson? Cindy Hancock, my babysitter who taught me to crochet; my many piano teachers, Mrs. Hardy, and Mrs. Sills, my high school social studies teacher Mr. Carson who taught me about political cartoons; my high school seminary teacher, Sis. Dixon, who loved me despite my being VERY difficult, my therapist, Leslie Feinauer, my college piano teachers, Paul Pollei and Steve Erickson, Pres., and Sister Call, my mission president in Uruguay, the several ballroom dance teachers in college, my bishop (aka pastor in college) Ron Leavitt, and of course, my husband. That’s just a sampling. And just into my early twenties.
One final one that I’ll mention here.
Heather Hunt, my editor, longtime friend, and truth-teller, who asked the question––Are the underrepresented groups not just about gender, race, or ethnicity? Or are they all the people who are equally if not more important, but because they don’t have name recognition, they don’t get listed in our LinkedIn profile?
It’s a provocation, to be sure. And as I responded I felt deep gratitude, recognizing that I have had, and no doubt you have also had, many, many people who have positively influenced your life.
To what extent are there people who are influencing, mentoring, and sponsoring us, that have gone unrecognized?
Who are these people? Is there just one?
This week’s podcast episode is Gail Miller, president and CEO of the Larry H. Miller Companies.
She talks about her childhood, her why, and about philanthropy. Listen to the podcast, and if you want more, read Gail’s book The Courage to Be You.
All best,
Whitney
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