The Power of Allyship in Business: Why You Need a “Fan Base”

When we talk about success in business, we often focus on hard work, talent, and innovation. But there’s one essential ingredient that tends to be overlooked: allyship. And no, I’m not just talking about the kind of allyship we hear about in the context of gender, race, or diversity. I’m talking about the broad, deeply human concept of having people in your corner – those who champion you, support your vision, and influence others on your behalf.

It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that success is a solo journey – that you’re the one who has to fight for your ideas, push your career forward, and make things happen. But here’s the truth: no one does it alone.

Throughout my career, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had powerful allies. I’ve had people who believed in me before I believed in myself. I’ve had allies in leadership, in teams, in departments across the business, and even outside my direct circle of influence. These allies didn’t just support me with words – they spoke up for me, they influenced decisions when I wasn’t in the room, and they made sure my voice was heard when I couldn’t be there to speak for myself.

I’ve also made a conscious effort to be an ally for others. I’ve learned that supporting others and speaking up on their behalf isn’t just the right thing to do; it’s also essential to building a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing culture in any organisation.

Why Allyship is More Than Just a Nice-to-Have

Let’s be clear: allyship is not just about being nice or having a kind word here and there. It’s about influence, advocacy, and strategic support. In a business environment, you’re not always going to be in every room or conversation that shapes your work, your team, or your career. That’s where allies come in.

In my experience, I’ve realised that you don’t just need supporters – you need a network of influencers who will speak your language, share your vision, and stand up for your ideas when you’re not around. These are the people who will champion your initiatives, your perspective, and your goals, and help make sure they’re prioritised even when you’re not the one doing the talking.

But here’s the kicker – these allies won’t always do it unless you’ve built genuine relationships with them. You can’t just expect people to support you without first earning their trust, showing your value, and making sure they believe in you.

The Importance of Building Your “Fan Base” of Allies

We often hear about the importance of personal branding, of networking, and of visibility. But the secret ingredient to success that people rarely talk about is having a strong base of allies who will support you in ways you can’t always anticipate. These are the people who will share your vision when you’re not in the room, who will influence others on your behalf, and who will challenge the status quo when needed.

For me, having allies has meant being able to execute my vision, grow my career, and do the work I’m most passionate about. But what makes these relationships so special is that they are reciprocal. I’ve worked hard to support others in the same way, to be an ally for the people around me, and to use my influence to open doors for those who may not have had the opportunity to be heard otherwise.

Allyship doesn’t just help those you support – it creates a culture of collaboration, respect, and shared growth. It creates a community where everyone rises together.

How to Cultivate Allyship in Your Own Career

Allyship is an underrated and undervalued skill, but it’s also a learnable one. I’m not here to tell you that you should just rely on others to get ahead. What I am saying is that you need to start intentionally building your network of allies – people who will influence for you, who will advocate for your work, and who will make sure your ideas are heard even when you’re not around.

1. Be Transparent and Build Trust

   The foundation of any strong allyship is trust. You can’t expect someone to support you if they don’t trust you or believe in your vision. Be open, share your goals, and be clear about how they can help. Trust is a two-way street.

   
   

2. Support Others

   Allyship is reciprocal. The more you advocate for others, the more likely they are to return the favour. Be someone who speaks up for others, who provides a voice when they can’t, and who lifts up those around you. You’ll create a network of people who genuinely want to see you succeed.

   
   

3. Be Visible and Share Your Wins

   Make sure you’re not just sitting quietly behind the scenes. Share your successes, but also be vocal about your aspirations and challenges. Allies are more likely to support you when they understand your goals and when they see you as a true partner in collaboration.

   
   

4. Build Relationships Across the Business

   Don’t just focus on your immediate team. Build relationships with people across the organisation – in leadership, in other departments, and even outside the company. The broader your network of allies, the more influence you’ll have.

   
   

5. Be the Ally You Wish You Had

   If you want to have strong allies, you need to be one. Speak up for others, challenge bias, and advocate for the voices that are often unheard. The more you do this for others, the more natural it will feel for people to do the same for you.

   
   

The Takeaway: Allyship is Essential for Success

I’ve seen firsthand the power of having allies in my corner, and I’ve seen how it can transform careers and organisations. It’s time we recognise allyship as a vital skill in business – not just as something that’s nice to have, but as a core component of growth, success, and cultural development.

So, let’s start building our “fan base” of allies today. Let’s start showing up for each other, championing each other’s ideas, and using our influence to make sure we’re all seen and heard. After all, we’re all stronger when we rise together.