My honest experience is that I have been used by every sponsor I ever worked with. But I have become the sponsor I always wanted.
The bottom line is I put the Sponsee ahead of my status in AA.
I expect to be gossiped about by sponsees or broken up with or any other plethora of consequences but I know that's par for the course.
Also, when I know a relationship with my own sponsor is "done", I end it, knowing that person has given me what they can.
I hope my sponsees outgrow me at some point. I don't get jealous when they do.
And I don't try to gather them around me for my own comfort and security. I let them be free.
I don't ask or tell other AAs if I'm working with people or how many people. This is about helping God save lives. It's not a contest.
Probably the #1 defect among AAs is trying to be someone in AA.
I'm unique.
I'm an angel of Gods.