Over the last year, we have encountered a number of cases where expectations for and understanding of the sponsor-sponsee relationship were not aligned, ultimately leading to tension and, in some cases, the end of the relationship. The delicate balance that sponsors strike in providing shared resources alongside a high degree of autonomy for projects requires a nuanced co-management and co-fiduciary relationship. Managing such relationships begins with clear communication and framing, followed by ongoing expectation management. We will look at how language and framing needs to permeate all aspects of the sponsor-sponsee relationship, as well as some practical communication practices emerging from the field.