I spent years building strong sponsor relationships that helped open doors for me at my company. But after a recent acquisition, my sponsor—who was one of my biggest champions —is no longer here. I’m feeling a bit lost and invisible. How do I rebuild my support system and keep moving forward?
Let’s be honest. When leadership changes, it’s easy to feel like all your hard work and political capital just evaporated. One day, you’re being championed in senior leadership meetings. Then next, you’re wondering if anyone even knows your name.
It’s disorienting. It’s frustrating. And yet—it’s a test every leader-in-the-making eventually faces. Because no matter how loyal your sponsor was, your career belongs to you—not to them. Now’s the moment to take back the pen, reset your strategy, and drive your career forward with purpose.
Don’t Mourn the Loss. Read the Room
When acquisitions happen—and they are happening at record pace in the Convenience Store industry—priorities shift fast. A company that once prized service excellence might suddenly pivot to chasing margin expansion. Leadership teams that once favored stability might now demand speed, innovation, or ruthless efficiency.
If you want to stay relevant, you can’t cling to the old playbook. You need to read the new one.
Here is what you need to ask yourself:
- What’s important to the new leaders right now?
- Where are they investing resources?
- Who’s rising—and why?
The clues are everywhere if you’re willing to see them. Watch where the energy, budgets, and promotions go. Then align yourself accordingly. Remember, new leaders bring new opportunities—if you’re sharp enough to spot them.
Also, don’t lose sight of the sponsor who left. If they remain in the industry, they are still an important relationship for your future career – and could be a valuable source of insight right now. Consider reaching out. Ask for their perspective on shifting dynamics inside the organization. They may help you read the room faster – but be mindful of their mindset. If they left on bad terms or carry bitterness, filter the advice carefully. Still, a sponsor who knows the internal payers well can offer priceless guidance to help you adapt.
Stop Playing Lone Wolf. Build Your Web
One of the biggest career mistakes—especially for women—is assuming hard work will speak for itself. It won’t. Visibility is currency. Relationships are armor.
Research consistently shows that while women are often over-mentored, they are under-sponsored. And in the turbulence following leadership changes, being invisible can be a career-killer.
Here is what you need to start now:
- Schedule short conversations with new decision-makers.
- Volunteer for cross-functional or high-visibility projects.
- Offer help where you see gaps—but be strategic.
You’re not just replacing one sponsor—you’re building a network of champions who see your value from multiple angles. One smart move? Seek out strategic mentorships. Look for leaders who are gaining influence in the new structure, and find ways to learn from them. Mentorship, when built intentionally, can evolve into sponsorship over time. And that’s how you future-proof your support system. A strong career isn’t built on one bridge. It’s spun across a web of relationships that hold steady when storms hit.
Rewrite the Story—And Make Yourself the Main Character
When your sponsor leaves, the story others told about you leaves with them. Now, it’s up to you to reframe your narrative so it’s relevant to the company’s future—not its past.
- If leadership is pushing operational excellence, highlight your track record with efficiency projects.
- If they’re chasing growth, talk about how you’ve driven results, expanded market share, or launched initiatives.
- If innovation is the new buzzword, showcase how you solve problems creatively and drive change.
Own your value—and articulate it clearly. Don’t leave others guessing. When the story changes, so must the storyteller—especially when the storyteller is you.
Finally: Future-Proof Yourself
Here’s the leadership lesson hiding inside this shakeup: no one sponsor, no one boss, no one company holds the keys to your future.
You earn real career resilience by delivering results that matter, cultivating broad relationships, and staying adaptable when others freeze. No acquisition, no leadership turnover, no reorganization can take away your impact. Real career security comes from your reputation, your relationships, and your results—not a single champion.
My parting thought for you is this: you don’t control who stays or leaves, but you absolutely control how you show up—and who notices. You’re not surviving this change. You’re leveraging it. Stay strong and lead on!
To Submit a Question
If you have a question for Julia, simply submit your question to julia.lazzara@leadingnow.biz. While we can’t promise she will be able to answer all of the questions she receives, our goal is to provide you with the insights and advice you need to have a successful career.
Julia Lazzara is the president of Leading NOW, an organization shaping the future of workplace dynamics by advocating women’s advancement and engaging male allies to bring gender balance to leadership. Leading NOW is a founding partner and educational content provider for CSP’s C-Store Women’s Event (CSW). Reach her at julia.lazzara@leadingnow.biz.
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