Build Allies and Advocates

I have been loving Allison Fragale’s Likable Badass framework, and this week’s theme, building allies and advocates, is one that shows up constantly in real workplace dynamics.

If there is one thing I have learned working inside government agencies, universities, and national associations, it is this: you can be smart and strategic and deeply committed to the work, but you will go farther and with much less strain when you have people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

Building allies and advocates is not about schmoozing or transactional networking. It is about investing in relationships thoughtfully, consistently, and in a way that feels real long before you might need them.

Why this matters

Most workplaces operate in ways that are not always transparent. Information moves unevenly, decisions get made in small meetings, and opportunities often show up through relationships rather than through formal channels. Allies help you navigate those realities. Advocates open doors you did not even know were there.

How to build allies without feeling awkward or performative

1. Start with generosity.
   People trust people who give before they ask. Share a resource, offer an insight, or pass along an opportunity that fits someone else better. These small moments add up.
2. Be someone others enjoy collaborating with.
   You do not need to be bubbly. But you do need to be reliable, appreciative, and low drama. People naturally gravitate toward colleagues who lighten the load rather than add to it.
3. Stay curious about people, especially those outside your usual circle.
   Some of your strongest allies will come from unexpected corners of your organization. Curiosity builds connection, and connection builds trust.

How to cultivate advocates, the people who speak your name in rooms you are not in

1. Make your work and intentions visible.
   Advocates cannot support what they cannot see. Share what you are working on, the impact you hope to have, and why the work matters to you.
2. Share credit generously and acknowledge support privately.
   When you lift others up, you build credibility. Advocates take pride in supporting someone who elevates the room.
3. Ask for advice, not favors.
   When someone helps shape your thinking, they naturally start rooting for the outcome. Asking for advice creates shared ownership and deepens the relationship.

Practical takeaways for this week

Here are several simple ways to put this into practice:

• Identify one colleague whose work you value and send a short note about the impact they have had on you.
• Reach out to someone you do not know well and schedule a brief virtual coffee.
• Pass along an opportunity that would benefit someone else.
• Notice the people who quietly support you and thank them specifically.

A personal reflection

For me, this idea is deeply personal. I would not be in the role I am in today without people who had already seen my work, understood what I value, and trusted how I show up. The same is true for my volunteer leadership roles. Every opportunity I have had, from committee work to national leadership positions, came from people who had watched me contribute, collaborate, and deliver. I did not have to convince them I was the right fit. They already knew because we had built a relationship over time.

Those professional and volunteer spaces gave me the chance to show what I was made of, and they helped others see why they might want to work with me. Allies and advocates opened doors, and every milestone that followed rests on the foundation of those relationships. My hope is that this reflection helps you cultivate that same kind of support network, so you can grow in ways that feel aligned, grounded, and genuinely earned.

By: Elizabeth “Liz” Hill, Director of Communications & Development at MWI and Co-editor of Ombuzz