Sponsor Swim Buddies: Keeping Change Afloat With Strategic Partnerships

A Swim Buddy is a peer-level sponsor who provides support, encouragement, and accountability for another leader who may be struggling to fully embrace the change. By pairing leaders in this way, you can ensure that even reluctant sponsors stay engaged and aligned.

How to Identify a Strong Swim Buddy

Not every leader can be a Swim Buddy. Choose someone who:

• Has Credibility: They are well-respected by their peers and have a positive reputation.
• Understands the Change: They can articulate the change objectives clearly.
• Is a Natural Coach: They are patient, empathetic, and good at active listening.
• Leads by Example: They consistently demonstrate the right leadership behaviors.

Setting Up the Swim Buddy Relationship

1. Secure Agreement: Meet with the potential Swim Buddy privately. Explain the situation and why their support is critical.
2. Clarify Expectations: Define their role - they are there to provide support, answer questions, and model positive behavior, not to pressure or lecture.
3. Schedule Regular Check-ins: Make sure the Swim Buddy knows they should maintain ongoing contact with the reluctant sponsor.
4. Coach Them on E/M/R (Express, Model, Reinforce): Make it clear that their primary role is to model and reinforce the change, while also creating a safe space for the other leader to ask questions or express concerns.

Tactics for Effective Swim Buddy Support

• Invite the Reluctant Sponsor to Key Meetings: Make sure they are included but not pressured.
• Facilitate Open Dialogue: The Swim Buddy can provide a judgment-free space for the resistant leader to ask questions or express doubts.
• Model the Right Behavior: Whether it’s openly endorsing the change, actively participating in training, or leading by example, the Swim Buddy should always be a positive role model.

Monitoring the Swim Buddy Strategy

• Regular Check-Ins with Both Leaders: As the change practitioner, maintain a light-touch connection with both the Swim Buddy and the resistant sponsor. Are they meeting? Are there any concerns?
• Feedback and Adjustment: If the Swim Buddy feels they are not making progress, discuss ways to enhance their support. This could include more frequent meetings, different messaging, or even a switch to a different Swim Buddy.
• Recognize Success: When the Swim Buddy and resistant leader successfully align, acknowledge their effort.

Contingency Planning: When the Swim Buddy Approach Isn’t Working

Sometimes, even with a Swim Buddy, a resistant sponsor remains problematic. Here’s what you can do:

• Re-Evaluate the Swim Buddy Pairing: Is there a better match?
• Escalate to Senior Leadership: Make them aware of the challenge and seek their support.
• Direct Coaching: Offer one-on-one support to the resistant sponsor to better understand their concerns.
• Adjust Your Strategy: In rare cases, you may need to bypass the reluctant sponsor and build a coalition of other, more supportive leaders.

Final Thought: The Power of Peer Support

Swim Buddies are a subtle but powerful tool in your change management toolkit. By leveraging the power of peer influence, you can help even the most hesitant leaders become effective change sponsors - or at least ensure they don’t derail your initiative.

Power to the Practitioner.