Problem 1. Your options are men who only mentor other men.
Dodge it: "You can earn the trust of a male superior," says Sylvia Ann Hewlett, Ph.D., founder and CEO of the Center for Talent Innovation. To attract a sponsor, she says, understand that it's not all about you. Your job is to deliver results and display a great work ethic so, in turn, your sponsor can pass golden opportunities your way."

Problem 2. He's very busy and very intimidating.
Dodge it: Asking someone point-blank to sponsor you rarely works. He doesn't care why you want him to mentor you ... but he probably would like sharing advice on something he knows. Go in prepared. Maybe note that he has a large client list and say you would love suggestions on how to grow your own.

Problem 3. He's afraid of coming across like he's hitting on you.
Dodge it: "Men aren't sure what the right protocol is around a woman and will err on the side of caution when it comes to approaching you," says Barbara Annis, founding partner of Gender Intelligence Group, a consulting firm. Grow the relationship by asking him to coffee or lunch. Tell him that you value the advice he's given you so far and you would love to continue your career talks. 

Problem 4. The whole office thinks you're sleeping with him.
Dodge it: "Tell coworkers, 'Bill has been mentoring me, and he's been really supportive,'" suggests Kim Elsesser, Ph.D., research scholar at the Center for the Study of Women at UCLA and author of Sex and the Office. Keep doors open, and hang out in the cafeteria. Then if anyone spots you socializing outside the office, nothing seems amiss.

Problem 5. Mentorships are tricky for women at your company.
Dodge it: "By assigning men to mentor women, your company can encourage male-female mentorships and create a new norm where men aren't hesitant to support women," says Annis. Tell your human resources department that you've read about other mentorship program successes and you're game to try.

This article was originally published as "When You Want a Mentor" in the April 2015 issue of Cosmopolitan. Click here to get the issue in the iTunes store!