Question

How did Gore’s “sponsors” program facilitate the creation of high-quality relationships among leaders, sponsors, and associates?

Answer 1

Answer- The sponsor program is the wave of the future allowing every worker to have some say in the planning and controlling of his or her job. The sponsorship program allows for small team environments where there is little to no status differences among the members. The employees have the authority to decide how to get the work done which allows for creativity and thinking outside of the box. This type of system allows the employee to determine his or her own destiny.

The sponsorship program replaces the traditional work group which was headed by a supervisor and the associates assume those duties. This means that the associates and not a supervisor or manager is ultimately and collectively accountable for the work that needs to be done. This innovation has allowed Gore & Associates to become a flat organizational structure.

The sponsorship program promotes a high level of associate empowerment and support. Associate sponsors are leaders that are highly skilled in facilitating dialogue, conflict resolution and behavioral coaching. At first glance, this system would seem impossible to manage and would appear to be out of control. It has grown and developed without an authoritarian pattern and has a focus on respecting peoples’ life and inherent value. It appears to be an environment where the community of associates carefully considers the world they are creating and everyone takes the opportunity to choose what they will contribute to the company and the customer.