When you’re trying to progress a project, your career, anything, it’s important to know who are the key people who can make things happen.

Usually these are folks who control resources, time, or set priorities. They can make decisions. They are trusted by the senior leadership.

Sometimes, I see people struggle because they go tend to go to the “easier” person: the one who will say yes, instead of the one who can actually make things happen.

When you choose a mentor or seek a sponsor, think about whether or not you’re picking them because they’re nice and easy, or picking them because they represent who you want to be. You’ll learn if you pick the latter.