What is “thought leadership”?
We see it in others we admire.
Most of us don’t think it applies to us.
Yet, we all have a thought leader inside us.
Today, we are going to explore and discover our inner thought leader.
Identifying those things that others look to us for advice on. We may not even realize they are there.
Each of us may uncover areas others see and areas we believe have potential.
What is a Thought Leader?
The definition of a Thought Leader is:
“A person whose views are taken to be authoritative and influential.”
Unlike someone who is assigned as a leader of a team, thought leadership has no assignment.
The role is earned by those who follow them and align with their views.
This can make thought leadership seem daunting.
What if we share things that no one follows?
What if we don’t have topics where we lead?
While these can be valid questions, we are all thought leaders.
There are people in our lives who aren’t as far along a journey as we are.
We can be their thought leaders.
We don’t have to speak on large stages, write books, or start a podcast.
Thought leaders are working quietly among us every day.
It’s up to each of us to discover the thought leader within us.
Your Turn – How to Get Started
The first step is to define our thought leadership.
Discover our unique formula.
Below are some questions to get you started.
What is an experience that shaped your personal brand?
What are some topics that you provide advice to others on?
When is the last time you helped someone with a project at work?
What was the topic?
If you had to give a TED Talk next month, what topic would you choose?
Are there elements of a hobby you enjoy where you can provide thought leadership?
How do you help and support others who are younger than you?
What advice do you provide?
Look at the answers to these questions and see if thought leadership areas begin to emerge.