Tool for 'changemakers': Win allies to maximize your impact!
I’m writing a series of articles about tools I’ve tested and found to be effective in my roles as a leader, change agent, mother, and entrepreneur. I promise they’re quick, simple, effective, and can lead to wonderful transformations—if you stick with them over time.
💡THE PROBLEM: “A LACK OF SUPPORT”
When you drive change—especially if it has a lasting impact or relates to corporate social responsibility—you often find yourself out of step with the rest of the group.
At best, we elicit surprise; at worst, we encounter suspicion or ridicule.
Changes aimed at promoting sustainability require collaboration with a wide range of stakeholders and organizational partners.
Nothing changes if you stay isolated.
The challenges are systemic—too vast to be tackled alone.
I regularly hear my clients complain about their loneliness, about how difficult it is to carry the burden alone, and about the frustration of constantly having to push others to take action.
I understand them.
I've been in their shoes.
But the real problem isn't the lack of commitment on the part of others.
The real challenge is twofold:
The engagement strategy is often inadequate.
The level of enthusiasm generated by our proposals and the way we embody change is often low.
Today I’m focusing on a key strategy to address the first point: engaging the right allies.
🔍 The Tool: The Allies' Strategy
"A project doesn't fail because of its opponents, but because of a cruel lack of allies."
This is one of the key lessons of sociodynamics, a method for managing change founded by Jean-Christian Fauvet in the 1970s.
What's important to understand is:
A person's stance toward your project depends on their feelings and opinions at any given moment. That stance may change over time.
Partnering with motivated individuals is essential to mobilizing a group. The goal, therefore, is not to convince those who are resistant or passive, but to capitalize on the drivers of change to create a ripple effect.
Here is the “partner map,” which is useful for mapping out your ecosystem and finding the right allies.
Sociodynamic Position of the Actors
Source: JC Faudet
🐝 YOUR CHALLENGE: SURROUNDING YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE
If you're still with me (thanks, by the way), you're probably wondering, "OK, but in practical terms, what do I do?"
I'd like to offer you two options:
You can take stock of the people around you and place them on the partner map above.
You can also answer these questions to identify your key allies based on your needs:
Who gives you positive energy?
Who can help you gain more influence? Who can help you make your voice heard?
Who comes up with ideas? Who can share tools and feedback?
Who is familiar with your ecosystem and can help you navigate political issues?
Who is motivated by and directly involved in your mission? Who can you work with and collaborate with?
For every key need, you'll find the right ally. There's no need to expect your allies to be by your side 24 hours a day. They can be peers, supervisors, mentors, coworkers, suppliers, clients, coaches, and friends.
My Feedback
I discovered the importance of allies during my coaching in Japan, thanks to Sophie Mauriac ( hi, and thanks, Sophie, if you're reading this).
At the time, I felt very lonely. My organizational transformation projects, my position on the Executive Committee, the very different Japanese culture, the managerial challenges, the environmental crisis—it all weighed heavily on me. I often complained. I felt like I was alone against everyone.
The process of mapping out my allies helped me regain control of my daily life and my impact. I had to open my eyes and identify who could support me and provide me with resources tailored to my various needs and challenges.
A positive momentum followed, and strong professional and personal bonds developed. My daily life gradually changed, and a few years later, I was able to leave Japan, proud of the collective impact we had helped bring about.
I can only advise you to keep your eyes open and stay connected with your allies.
They're right there, just waiting for a sign from you. Trust me.
"So... Are you up for it or not?"
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Hello to you, agents of change!
I’m Nina, an impact coach and committed board member, and an expert in leadership and sustainable transformation. I led transformation and sustainable development initiatives at Veolia for nearly 15 years, both in France and internationally. Today, what I love to do is help organizations and professionals rethink their business models and make them proud to contribute, in their own way, to a more sustainable, humane world that respects all life. If you want to be an inspiring leader and engage your team to maximize your impact, contact me!
