The Power of a Community of Practice. The Internal Side of Public Affairs (32).

Alan Hardacre, PhD

Co-Founder Advocacy Academy, Advocacy Strategy

Public Affairs professionals are often lonely and isolated (professionally!). They mostly operate in silos or are the sole PA representative in their country. In matrix organisations they also tend to report to business leaders who don’t fully grasp the function. I have spent some time with clients in the last few weeks working on some solutions to this challenge – because make no mistake this is a serious challenge. This isolation makes it harder to align strategy, share intelligence, and build influence inside the company. One immediate solution? Create a Community of Practice for Public Affairs.

A Community of Practice connects PA professionals across markets, business units, and reporting lines. It fosters peer learning, strategic alignment, and collective problem-solving. Done well, it strengthens the internal positioning of Public Affairs while giving individuals a support system (like group therapy – they can belong to something).

Why a PA Community of Practice Matters

✅ Breaks down silos – Many PA teams are spread across regions and functions, making coordination, sharing, alignment and internal visibility building difficult. A community brings them together.

✅ Supports lone practitioners – If you’re the only PA person in your market, this provides a sounding board and a place to exchange experiences – and feel a sense of belonging.

✅ Improves knowledge-sharing – Public Affairs thrives on intelligence. Regular discussions help teams spot trends, share best practices, and anticipate risks – and align on how to show-up in the organization.

✅ Aligns strategy with the business – A strong internal PA community helps ensure PA efforts align with corporate priorities, rather than being reactive or disconnected.

- Create simple forums for connection – Start with a monthly virtual meeting to discuss key policy developments, challenges, and best practices.

- Share knowledge – Set up an internal platform (e.g., Teams, SharePoint, Slack) where PA professionals can post updates, share intelligence, and ask for support.

- Make it useful, not bureaucratic – Keep discussions practical, action-oriented, and relevant to business priorities. 

A Community of Practice isn’t just a network—it’s a strategic asset. It elevates the role of Public Affairs inside the company and helps you professionalize in your internal PA work. How are you tackling this - what works?