Sponsorship: developing leaders for occupational therapy.

Professional sponsorship is a helping relationship aimed at a career advancement. It includes the hierarchical association between the mentor and protégé, and the collegial associations between peer mentors, among "peer pals," and in support networks. Sponsors serve as advocates, emotional supporters, and information-givers for those they sponsor. The adoption of sponsorship as a leadership development strategy for occupational therapy is recommended, and illustrations of initiating and using sponsorship are given.