It’s not WHAT you know. It’s WHO you know.

There's a grain of truth in that.

BUT...

For women, it's never as simple as
shaking hands at a networking event.

Harvard Business Review research shows:
Networking favors men more than women.

Why?

Women's competence is often judged differently

They're seen as less assertive, and less confident...

...Their contributions can also easily
get overlooked in those casual chats.

So, what's a woman's secret weapon?

→ The power of third-party ties.

Think of it as a trusted colleague vouching for you
… opening doors you can't reach alone.

It's like a VIP pass, boosting your credibility, right?

Now let’s turn to ask: what an organization can do
to help talented women rise through the ranks?

🔶 The answer lies in well-designed "network sponsor" programs.

But there's a catch:

→ Most organizations don't know how to maximize their impact.

Here are 4 research-backed tips to get it right: