Have you ever walked away from a discussion with a Sponsor feeling like you didn’t get exactly what you had hoped for? Have you had a Sponsor gladly offer “support” but then that very same Sponsor is unwilling to commit personal time for the project when it’s really needed? It’s a common Change Agent challenge!
Sponsor Contracting is the exchange of wants, needs, and offers between a Change Agent and a Sponsor. It’s a repeatable process that enables the Change Agent to directly and specifically ask for what actions are needed from that Sponsor at that point in time.
Just how important is this process? The ability to effectively Contract with Sponsors is arguably the most important skill needed by a Change Agent! In fact, Don Harrison, IMA President and developer of the Accelerating Implementation Methodology (AIM) says, “All failed transformational change can be traced back to poor Sponsor Contracting.”
The good news: Sponsor Contracting is a trainable skill that can be learned with practice. That’s why we spend so much time teaching Contracting in our AIM Accreditation programs. Here’s an overview of the process that, when done well, will be a giant leap toward getting what you need from your Sponsors.
The In’s and Out’s of Sponsor Contracting
We use the term “Contracting” to describe the process used by Change Agents to negotiate with a Sponsor. The Change Agent needs specific actions from the Sponsor, and in return, will offer specific assistance that will make the Sponsor's job easier, faster, and/or more effective.
The decision regarding who should be doing the Contracting should be based on relationship strength, rather than on project role. You'll need to evaluate who should take on the Contracting task for every Sponsor you are dealing with. The question you should ask is, "Which Change Agent has the highest degree of trust and credibility with this specific leader?"
When meeting with the Sponsor, remember to discuss the project from their Frame of Reference, not yours. Use the language of the Sponsor, not the language of “change management.” In our experience, Sponsors want to get projects done faster, cheaper, or at a higher level of quality. So instead of discussing the process in vague terms such as change management and Sponsorship, try framing the discussion around these three questions:
Lastly, don’t Contract for too much at one time. In your Contracting conversations, be very specific about what you need right now-- not 3 months from now. Don’t bring your Sponsor a laundry list of “asks.” It's best to start with just a few simple requests, and then build on your Sponsor's success.
Ask for What You Want: Express, Model and Reinforce
The number one rule of Sponsor Contracting is to ask for what you want! If you ask for what you want, you are far more likely to get it. Conversely, if you ask for nothing, you will get nothing.
EXPRESS - Think about:
MODEL - What the Sponsor models has twice as much impact as what he or she says, so think about:
REINFORCE - What that Sponsor rewards and what consequences for non-performance the Sponsor applies with his/her direct reports are the most important actions any Sponsor takes. Think about:
Sponsor Contracting is not easy. These meetings require advance thought and preparation. But by following these guidelines, Change Agents are far more likely to get what they need from their Sponsors, putting them on a better path to fast and successful implementation.