Every successful digital workplace has one thing in common: passionate people who help bring it to life. Tools and features matter of course, but it’s the energy and advocacy of users that ultimately turn your intranet into a thriving, connected community. That’s where user champions come in.

User champions are those early adopters who genuinely believe in the value of the digital workplace and want others to experience that same benefit. They’re curious, enthusiastic, and naturally inclined to share knowledge. When they’re properly supported, they become catalysts for engagement across departments and regions.

Creating a strong champion network starts with understanding what motivates people to participate. No one wants to feel like they’re just doing extra work. When you invite individuals into a champion program with a sense of purpose and autonomy, their excitement becomes contagious. Recognizing their valuable insights and giving them opportunities to shape upcoming features or communication plans helps reinforce that they’re not just users, but contributors to something bigger.

The more connected champions feel to your organization’s goals, the more confident they’ll be in promoting the digital workplace to others. Regular conversations, sneak peeks into new capabilities, and space to share wins from their own teams help deepen that connection. It’s also important to celebrate their influence, whether through visible shout-outs or the simple act of acknowledging when their efforts move the needle on engagement. Glimpses into analytics wins and user commentary further serve to motivate your champions and inspire others.

Over time, champions will become trusted voices who can translate the value of the digital workplace into everyday success stories that resonate with colleagues. People are far more likely to try something new when a peer they respect recommends it. That ripple effect scales engagement in an authentic, human way that top-down messaging alone can’t achieve.

The magic happens when those champions start to see the impact of their advocacy in improved workflows, more connected teams and faster access to knowledge. That’s when they shift from early adopters to true ambassadors. And as their stories spread, your digital workplace continues to grow stronger, one empowered user at a time.

What sort of champion initiatives have you tried, or would like to try? Check out our campaign library for some ideas on recruiting champions!