A colleague shared this thought with me today -- Sometimes it's really valuable to have a trusted friend within your organization that you can sound off to.  We all have those moments, and sometimes days, when we don't like what we are doing or who we are working with. 

It's so nice to have someone that you can complain to that "gets it."  Usually, your issue is temporary and doesn't need to be radically changed.  A contact within the organization can truly sympathize.  Why not your manager?  Well, maybe it's your manager that you need to gripe about!   With an established contact, you know you can trust her or him to keep your confidence and even help you see the lighter side of the situation. 

Sometimes your issue seems bigger than you can handle.  An "inside" resource has the potential value of sharing insight and advice to help you resolve your problem.  If you choose someone with several years of experience, they are more familiar with the organization's bureaucracy and culture.  They have learned through experience, or they know someone they trust to get good advice.