--- title: Developing effective Change Management Sponsorship description: Sponsors are accountable for the successful implementation of change in their area of responsibility to implement an effective Change Management strategy. image: https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/Developing%20effective%20change%20management%20sponsorship.png --- [![Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logo/Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png?width=174&height=61&name=Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png "Changefirst_logo_Hubspot.png")](http://www.changefirst.com) [Contact us](https://changefirst.com/contact-us) [+44 (0) 1444 450777](tel:+44-0-1444-450777) [Solutions](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions) ### Solutions Change Management Solutions matched to your specific business needs. #### [![orgainizations](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/orgainizations.jpeg) For Organizations Engage more of your people in change with a cost effective and scalable solution that builds sustainable capability.](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/organisations) #### [![consulting-firms](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/consulting-firms.jpeg) For Consulting Teams Digitalize and differentiate your Change Management practice, quickly on-board new hires and create ‘sticky’ client relationships](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/consulting-firms) #### [![change professionals](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/change%20professionals.jpeg) For Change & Project Experts Deliver strategic projects, support Executives through continuous change and add new tools, skills and Certification to your playbook](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/change-and-project-professionals) #### [![technology companies](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/technology%20companies.jpeg) For Technology Companies Take advantage of the missing ingredient in your Adoption Services model. 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People - Centred Implementation Changefirst’s research-based, highly practical, results-oriented methodology, for planning and executing the people-side of change, to achieve sustainable organisational results](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pci) #### [![pai](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/pai.jpeg) PAI – Personal Adaptability Inventory PCI® People-Centred Implementation Changefirst’s proprietary psychometric, with development system, help leaders and their teams develop resilience and adaptability for change](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pai) [Resources](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) ### Resources All the resources you need to help build your Change Management capability. #### [![resources](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/resources.jpeg) Whitepapers Download our latest Change Management whitepapers.](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) #### [![videos](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/videos.jpeg) Videos Watch our latest Change Management videos.](https://www.changefirst.com/resources#videos) #### [![blog](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/blog.jpeg) Blogs Read our latest Change Management blogs.](https://blog.changefirst.com/) [About us](https://www.changefirst.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.changefirst.com/contact-us) Solutions [For Organizations](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/organisations) [For Consulting Teams](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/consulting-firms) [For Change & Project Experts](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/change-and-project-professionals) [For Technology Companies](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-solutions/technology-companies) [Drive up adoption](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/drive-up-adoption) [Deliver projects more succcessfully](https://www.changefirst.com/deliver-projects-more-successfully) [Build ECM capability](https://www.changefirst.com/build-ECM-capability) [Quickly upskilling your teams](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/upskilling-of-teams) [Develop an agile change culture](https://www.changefirst.com/business-issues/agile-change-management) Products [Roadmap Pro® - digital OCM platform](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-products/roadmap-pro) Training [Leaders, Heads of Business & Steering Teams](https://www.changefirst.com/training/executive) [Change, Project and Internal development professionals](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-agent) [Line Managers, local teams, HRBPs & Communication Experts](https://www.changefirst.com/training/manager-and-local-teams) [Employees, large groups & accidental/new change agents](https://www.changefirst.com/training/on-demand-individual) [Project and Programme Managers (Introductory)](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-introductory) [Project and Programme Managers (Intermediate)](https://www.changefirst.com/training/change-projects-intermediate) [Train-the-Trainer](https://www.changefirst.com/training/train-the-trainer) [Content licensing](https://www.changefirst.com/training/content-licensing) [Certification](https://www.changefirst.com/training/certification) [Application Coaching and Consulting](https://www.changefirst.com/training/application-coaching-and-consulting) Methodologies [PCI® - People - Centred Implementation](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pci) [PAI – Personal Adaptability Inventory PCI®](https://www.changefirst.com/methodologies/pai) Resources [Whitepapers](https://www.changefirst.com/resources) [Videos](https://www.changefirst.com/resources#videos) [Blogs](https://blog.changefirst.com/) [About us](https://www.changefirst.com/about-us) [Contact](https://www.changefirst.com/contact-us) # [Welcome to the Changefirst Blog](https://blog.changefirst.com) # Developing effective Change Management Sponsorship Posted by [David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/author/david-miller) At Changefirst we have had the privilege of working with some amazing change leaders in our work with clients.  While trying to grasp the essence of what makes a great Change Management sponsor can be difficult, we have found that there is a common set of skills and traits that make great sponsors.  ![Developing effective change management sponsorship](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Developing%20effective%20change%20management%20sponsorship.png?width=660&height=330&name=Developing%20effective%20change%20management%20sponsorship.png) Research over the last 30 years has shown that that these skills and traits can be learned; this week we will look at how to develop great change management sponsorship in your organization. ## **The role of the sponsor in change** If you recall from [a previous blog post](https://blog.changefirst.com/building-effective-change-leadership-in-your-organization), there are three change management leadership roles: the sponsor, the change agent and the influencer.  ![](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-Jul-15-2020-01-51-21-59-PM.png?width=550&height=452&name=image-Jul-15-2020-01-51-21-59-PM.png) Sponsors are accountable for the successful implementation of change in their area of responsibility.  It is up to these people to ensure that the benefits of change are fully realized.  Rather than pointing to one specific role in the project, we use this term to mean *all* the people who have the *accountability* to make change happen.  In large change implementations, there are usually a number of sponsors, each with the accountability to make change happen in their area.  And in successful change implementations, sponsors work *together* in a network to spearhead, and cascade, change down through the organization. ## **The importance of ongoing visibility cannot be overstated** The role of a change sponsor is to be *visible* throughout the whole change lifecycle.  Too often we have seen change sponsors declare early victory and disappear.  Leaving the middle and front line managers the task of trying to bed down the changes, as well as taking on some of the sponsor responsibilities. In fact, where senior sponsorship is not visible, many employees conclude the change is not a priority for the executive team, and therefore not important to them.  This is where we see *compliance* towards the change, at best.   [![AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog%20and%20Website%20EbookPromoImages/AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP.png?width=350&height=247&name=AdaptiveLeadersWebSiteContentPromotionPanelTP.png)](https://info.changefirst.com/ebook-a-guide-to-adaptive-change-leadership-in-disruptive-times)   ## **The traits of an effective change sponsor** Through our [research](https://info.changefirst.com/the-power-of-data-report-two-building-effective-change-leadership) we have identified 12 key Change Sponsor attributes, all of which are needed at various stages of the change project lifecycle. ![Description of what effective change sponsors do.png](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/April2017/Description%20of%20what%20effective%20change%20sponsors%20do.png?width=550&height=367&name=Description%20of%20what%20effective%20change%20sponsors%20do.png) From our experience, we have found that the best Change Sponsors have the following traits; they: - lead by doing; providing visible, active support of the change - communicate consistently and congruently about the change - are actively interested in the project, and are tracking milestones and progress - are open to feedback - relish debating with people about the change - see objections as an opportunity to resell the change message - present as passionate and resolute about the change - create a strong network of sponsors throughout the organization. ## **The role of the Change Agent in developing strong sponsors** Not everyone is perfect, and just because a person is in a senior management position doesn’t make them an effective Sponsor.  They may need training or coaching to develop their skills.  They may also need help to be consistent, to be disciplined and not to backtrack without realizing it.  This is a [key role](https://blog.changefirst.com/building-effective-change-leadership-in-your-organization) of the Change Agent.  A useful tool is the *Sponsor Assessment which is* available via our digital Change Management platform , which provides a quick and easy assessment of your Sponsor against the 12 attributes shown above.  This assessment provides practical insights and tactics to develop effective Sponsor behavior during major organizational change.  ![Dimension.png](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/April2017/Dimension.png?width=550&height=767&name=Dimension.png) Source: Sponsor Assessment –[Roadmap Pro](https://www.changefirst.com/change-management-software/roadmappro) It can also be used for assessing an individual’s performance during a particular change.  Allowing a, potentially sensitive, discussion to be opened with a senior person about focus areas for them at different stages of a change project. A good change agent also realizes that their Sponsor(s) are likely to be busy, with many other initiatives and day-to-day issues taking their focus and time.  Ensuring your Sponsor is engaged throughout the change lifecycle can make the difference between change success or failure. In our article, [*Do you have a passive sponsor?*](https://blog.changefirst.com/blog/2010/12/do-you-have-a-passive-sponsor) we talk about how Change Agents can ensure early and ongoing engagement of their sponsors: - Ensure your sponsors clearly understand their role upfront - Ask some hard-hitting questions, and ensure their preparedness - Give examples of what their involvement will entail - Make their life easy - Explain the importance of their visible support. | ![Carou_Prod_A](https://blog.changefirst.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Carou_Prod_A.png?width=385&name=Carou_Prod_A.png) |   | **PUT DATA AT THE HEART OF YOUR CHANGE  IMPLEMENTATION** **APPROACH** **If your organization could benefit from tools like the Sponsor Assessment, you might be interested in [Roadmap Pro](https://www.changefirst.com/product/roadmappro), our innovative Change Management platform.** It offers a full suite of 9 planning, assessment and tracking tools, as well as a step-by-step change planner, “in-context” learning and powerful data analysis capabilities. [![LEARN MORE](https://hubspot-no-cache-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2401974/1566dd54-0e28-4ba5-ad65-5238b84774b3.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-eu1-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2401974/1566dd54-0e28-4ba5-ad65-5238b84774b3) | | --- | --- | --- | ![David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/hubfs/David%20200x200.png) Posted by [David Miller](https://blog.changefirst.com/author/david-miller) David Miller is the Chairman and Founder of Changefirst, a global training and consulting organisation which specialises in Organisational Change Management. He has helped organisations successfully implement major change for the last 25 years. Initially as a Senior Executive for American Express and more recently with clients ranging from HSBC, BT, Roche Pharmaceuticals and The Linde Group. David was a regular speaker at a range of Change and Transformation events globally on key industry themes including Agile Change Management and the use of digital in Change Management. Find me on: [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-miller-changefirst/) Tags: [change leadership](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-leadership), [Change Sponsor](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-sponsor), [effective change leadership](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/effective-change-leadership), [organizational change](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/organizational-change), [change management assessment](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-management-assessment), [change leaders](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-leaders), [change management sponsor](https://blog.changefirst.com/topic/change-management-sponsor) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ### Leave a comment Search Blog ### Keep me updated ### Recent Posts ### SHARE THE BLOG ### Posts by Tag [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_LI.svg)](https://uk.linkedin.com/company/changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_TW.svg)](https://twitter.com/Changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_VM.svg)](https://vimeo.com/changefirst) [![](https://changefirst.com/images/Icons/Social_FB.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/Changefirst-129807110363683/) [Website T&Cs](https://info.changefirst.com/website-tcs)    |     [Security Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/security-statement)    |     [Privacy Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/privacy-policy)    |     [Cookie Policy](https://info.changefirst.com/cookie-policy)