Government Relations Is Human Relations
By: Leslie Hacker, Vice President of CPRS Vancouver & Founder of Hacker Communications
CPRS Vancouver’s recent Government Relations 101 with Amelia Hill sold out with a waitlist, a clear sign that communications professionals are craving practical, real-world insight.
While I don’t work directly in government relations, the session was highly relatable. The lessons go far beyond GR, they’re about how we build relationships, communicate effectively, and show up in business and in life.
As Vice President of CPRS Vancouver, my focus is creating spaces where our community learns directly from industry leaders, moves beyond theory, and leaves with strategies they can actually use.
Government Relations, Simplified
At its core, government relations is about translation and helping organizations, businesses, and communities communicate effectively with government, while ensuring that government priorities are clearly understood in return.
What became clear throughout the session is that the most effective GR strategies are not rooted in complexity. They are grounded in clarity, relevance, and respect.
Understanding who you are speaking to, ensuring you are approaching the right level of government, and being specific in your outreach are foundational. Even small missteps, like contacting the wrong ministry or sending vague, generic messages, can undermine credibility before a conversation even begins.
Where Government Relations, PR, and Media Converge
One of the most valuable takeaways from the session was how much government relations mirrors broader communications and relationship-building principles.
At Hacker Communications, we often talk about emotional intelligence as a driver of effective marketing and PR. The same applies here. Strong government relations requires an understanding of people, their priorities, pressures, and motivations, and the ability to engage in a way that is thoughtful, respectful, and aligned with their goals.
There’s a clear overlap between government and media relations. Both are rooted in relationships, clarity, and timing and in both, access is earned. If your message isn’t relevant or well positioned, it gets ignored.
The tactics are familiar: be clear in your ask, respect time constraints, follow up with intention, and remain consistent in your presence. Whether you are engaging media, clients, or government stakeholders, the foundation is the same. Trust is built through meaningful, human interaction.
Access Is Earned. Influence Isn’t Always at the Top
Access to decision-makers is limited, which makes clarity essential. One of the most practical frameworks shared during the session was how to approach a conversation with a politician: clearly state your name, give three reasons why you are reaching out about one issue, share one thing you can do for them and why it benefits them, and close clearly so they know you will follow up.
As Amelia put it, “there’s not a lot of time, so make the most of it.”
It reinforced a simple truth: be a friendly face. Politicians, like media, respond to those who are clear, respectful, and easy to work with.
Equally important is recognizing that influence does not always sit at the top. Administrative staff often play a critical role in shaping access and prioritization, reinforcing the importance of treating every interaction with care and respect.
When engaging with government, it’s also important to look for win-win situations. The most effective conversations are not just about what you need, but how what you’re proposing helps them achieve their goals as well.
An Integrated Approach
Another key theme was the evolution of government relations itself. GR is no longer just about access or connections; it is increasingly integrated with public relations, digital strategy, and data.
The most effective strategies align messaging across all channels, ensuring consistency between what is communicated publicly and what is brought forward in government conversations. This integrated approach reflects a broader shift in the communications industry, where silos no longer exist and success depends on cohesion.
Another important reminder was around authenticity in outreach. When multiple people reach out to a political office with the same templated message, it is easy to ignore. But when a few individuals share different, real stories about the same issue, it captures attention. This is very similar to media relations. Authentic, specific, and human messaging is what cuts through.
Why This Matters Now
The demand for this session underscores a broader shift within the industry. Communications professionals are seeking more than just high-level theory; they want grounded, experience-driven insight that reflects the realities of today’s landscape.
One of the biggest takeaways from the session is that government relations ultimately comes down to two things: relationship building and knowledge gathering. Understanding what matters, staying informed, and consistently showing up as a known, trusted presence among the people who matter to you is what drives impact over time.
At its core, government relations is not a separate or inaccessible discipline. It is an extension of strong communication: understanding your audience, building relationships over time, and presenting solutions that create shared value.
Acknowledgment
A sincere thank you to Giulia Turco from Earnscliffe Strategies and CPRS Vancouver’s Professional Events Co-Director for helping bring this session together. Events like this are the result of thoughtful collaboration and a shared commitment to advancing our community.
CPRS Vancouver will continue to bring forward these conversations, creating opportunities for our community to learn, connect, and grow together.