The Gemara on Amud Aleph relates a story about how the Angel Gabriel was unique in his advocating on behalf of the Jewish people. Because of this, Gabriel was restored to a former position of honor.

Mesilas Yeshanim (19) speaks about this: 

⁦Our sages of blessed memory already expounded on the verse: "I have come because of your words" (Daniel 10:12) - "that Gavriel was not allowed to re-enter behind the heavenly curtain until he had pleaded in defense of Israel" (Yoma 77a). And on Gideon it was said "go in with your might" (Shoftim 6:14) - "because he pleaded in defense of Israel" (Yalkut Shimoni 247:62).

⁦For the Holy One, blessed be He, only loves he who loves Israel, and the more a person's love of Israel increases, the more the Holy One, blessed be He, increases love for him.

⁦These are the true shepherds of Israel, which the Holy One, blessed be He, greatly desired in, who sacrifice themselves for His sheep, seeking and striving for their peace and well-being in all matters, always standing in the breach to pray for them to annul the harsh decrees, and to open for them the gates of blessings.⁦To what is this analogous? To that of a father who loves no one more than he whom he sees sincerely loves his sons. This is something that human nature can attest to.

Another famous prophet, Hoshea went through terrible tribulations in that he was commanded by God to marry a harlot, experience her being unfaithful, and even supporting children that he was not even sure was his.  According to the Gemara (Pesachim 87a) , this all came upon him  because he initially spoke disparagingly of the Jewish people, and God wanted Him to understand, from the inside out, God’s experience of loving and caring for the Jewish people despite their disloyalty.  

It is notable that the quality of leadership for the Jewish people is love for them, and a willingness to defend and advocate for them.  It also can be said that true love for a child or for a spouse is the ability to take their sides and advocate for them, no matter how undeserving they may be.  Sometimes this can be an impossible task, especially when we think our spouse or child is wrong and requires discipline and correction.  We must concede to the logic that, at times, we must tell the people we love that they are indeed wrong, and we cannot support them.  Despite this being self-evident, it seems that there is a Torah value to nonetheless, on some level, defend and advocate on their behalf. 

Perhaps these ideas are not mutually exclusive.  The intent might be on an official level to advocate and defend, such as when a parent might argue to keep their child in the school despite his or her behavior, or a spouse might stick up for a spouse in front of others.  Yet, privately, carefully chosen words of rebuke or correction may be possible.