Every one of us has a network of relationships that have impacted or enriched our lives.  These relationships make up our influence capital.  In other words, we have influence with people who also have influence with us which creates capital we can share with others.  How?  By connecting the people we coach and mentor with the people in our network of relationships who can help them grow.  For example, if during the process of coaching a young leader I discover their desire to grow in an area where I have little knowledge, the best thing I can do is lend my influence capital by connecting them with a potential coach in my network of relationships.  Doing so enables young leaders to gain access to expertise that they otherwise would not have been able to get.  I’m not talking about multi-level marketing or some abuse of relationships.  Rather, I’m promoting what professor, author, and leadership mentor, Bobby Clinton refers to as “Sponsoring.”