Here's how you can navigate potential career paths with a strong creative skillset in Thought Leadership.

Boy! Good question. There is a beaten track UX job and then there is all the rest of the cool stuff that doesn't really fall within the realm of a "project". Business development, customer visits, story telling, industry best practices, emerging tech and UX innovation, these are not part of the regular day to day mundane workload, and YET, they supremely matter. These are the building blocks to thought leadership, this is what makes you - YOU! Unless you get this right, you can't bloom into a speaker. There is one thing to throw jargon, there is another to make sense while doing it ??. Bottom line, you either stare midlife crisis in the face or groom yourself into a thought leader. There is no other way towards metamorphosis...

I think we find many passions on the course of our lives, and each stage will give different context and find us in different moments. So, my first advice is: be curious. The follow steps are much easier because when you have passion you’re emotional invested. If you are emotional invested it matters to you and you will invest time to learn and to share. By the way, sharing is probably the best way of learning!

Absolutely! Discovering your passion is pivotal for leveraging Thought Leadership in your career. Your unique interests fuel motivation and inspiration, enabling you to create authentic content that resonates with others. Thought Leadership isn't just about knowledge; it's about a genuine commitment that attracts opportunities and connections. By aligning expertise with passion, you establish yourself as a leader, making a meaningful impact in your industry. Let your passion guide your journey to career success.

Becoming a Thought Leader demands relentless pursuit of expertise and creative problem-solving. It's about staying ahead of industry trends, thinking differently, and sharing insights widely. Picture yourself as a beacon of knowledge, guiding others through the complexities of your field. Embrace continuous learning, unleash your creativity, and let your expertise shine. Soon, you'll be recognized as a respected authority in your niche.

Es fundamental no perder la esencia, ese mismo motivador identificado es lo que nos va a llevar a indagar, profundizar y aprender constantemente de la temática que te hace vibrar. Una práctica rápida y efectiva para llevarlo a cabo es conectar con personas, escuchar de manera activa las opiniones, debatir con fundamentos e incorporar a tu visión las realidades de otros/as. Ser consciente de lo que pasa a tu alrededor será fundamental para tener toda la información necesaria, calibrar tus mensajes y compartir ideas con el resto.

My journey to become an expert in the networking and cybersecurity field started with reading and hands on training. Eventually, that led to taking certifications and eventually passing the Cisco CCIE. Once you obtain an expert level certification in your field, you have a demonstrable skill that lends credence to your point of view.

Developing expertise in your chosen field or domain is crucial for establishing credibility and authority as a thought leader. It involves continuous learning, acquiring specialized knowledge, and honing your skills. Building expertise allows you to provide valuable insights, solutions, and perspectives that others may not have, which is essential for thought leadership. It also enables you to stay ahead of industry trends, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to discussions and developments in your field.

One thing that was instrumental to my growth as a thought leader is the desire to always want to learn. I discovered that the only way to grow is to learn. You can't be a thought leader without learn, but more important to learning is unlearning old thought & relearning new thought. This is how expertise is built. For example, although I was passionate about tech but it is quite a broad industry to build a niche, so I had to learn Cybersecurity which is where I built my niche, and as a Cybersecurity Professional, to remain relevant you have to be in the know of what is going on in the industry because attack methodology & threat changes like rainbow. Take note, building expertise is never cheap, it will consume both your time and resources.

Networking effectively is about more than just exchanging business cards—it's about forming genuine connections that propel your career forward. Engage actively at industry events and contribute insightful comments in online forums to showcase your expertise and make a lasting impression. Stand out with creativity, whether it's through storytelling or offering fresh perspectives. Remember, networking is a two-way street where both parties benefit. Invest in meaningful connections to build a support system of respected peers who can help you succeed.

Networking is about building a community of support and inspiration. It can be the bridge to thought leadership and career advancement. By actively engaging with your network, you can unlock opportunities, gain valuable insights, and pave the way for a fulfilling career. Networking allows you to connect with professionals from various fields, offering diverse perspectives that can spark new ideas and creative approaches. These interactions are crucial for broadening your horizons and keeping your thought leadership fresh and innovative. A well-nurtured network can alert you to new opportunities, such as job openings or collaborative projects. Regular engagement with your network ensures that you’re in the loop when these opportunities arise

Las relaciones se trabajan. Conocer a alguien una vez no es suficiente, dar una buena impresión, cultivar los intereses comunes, compartir contenido y opiniones crea comunidad y te posiciona de manera diferente ante el resto. Comparte información y está disponible a recibir también, el intercambio es el mejor regalo que puedes dejar y te ayuda a construir un legado fuerte y robusto. Has y participa de mentorías, compartir experiencias siempre enriquece a todos quienes participan, nos hace humildes, cercanos y asertivos.

Creating original content is pivotal for establishing oneself as a Thought Leader. Whether it's through blogging, videos, podcasts, or social media, choose a medium that aligns with your style. Consistency is key; regularly produce valuable insights to reinforce your credibility. Each piece should offer genuine value, from solutions to challenges to thought-provoking analysis. By investing in content creation, you can effectively position yourself as a trusted authority, gaining recognition and influence within your industry.

Puedes empezar compartiendo contenido existente que conecte con tu pasión y experiencia, siempre agregando algo más que te permita hacer una reflexión sobre lo que pasa.

As a thought leader, you don't create content because content must be created. Instead be strategic in your act of content creation. Being strategic means - creating content that drives and feeds your passion. - creating content that identify problem but more importantly, content that solves identified problems. - creating content that is unique to you, your personality and your audience. - creating content that is consistent with the mindset of your audience.

Using the buzz of the moment, think of AI. You can see it as a threat, as an opportunity, and you can even be indifferent. Changes that disrupt our status quo and challenges our competitive advantage are always harder. AI is and will bring changes. It is you who will determine if those changes will be good or bad for you.

In the realm of Thought Leadership, adaptability isn't just a skill, it's a survival tactic. Industries evolve rapidly, fueled by new technologies and methodologies. As leaders, our role is to not only weather these changes but to harness them for innovation and growth. Flexibility is key. We must be ready to discard outdated strategies and embrace fresh perspectives. By doing so, we foster an environment where creativity thrives and where disruptions become the catalysts for progress. Innovation flourishes amidst uncertainty. Our ability to pivot and embrace change isn't just about staying afloat; it's about leading the charge towards new horizons of success. Let's lead by example, turning potential disruptions into opportunities.

Abraza el cambio. Los cambios entregan crecimiento y hablan de adaptabilidad. Se consciente que si tu opinión cambia a lo largo del camino, es probable que te puedas contradecir, pero se tú mismo quien traiga a la luz los cambios de pensamientos. Se creativo/a en la manera en que compartes la información e inspira al resto a informarse y permitirse cambiar, actualizarse y compartir.

To all sales people out there, you do not sell to win. Offering solutions to problems is how you win. If they aren’t winning, you aren’t winning. Don’t allow it to become a dog eat dog compete for the top race, bring your best self forward with an authentic desire to serve. Believe me you wind up at the top anyway. Sales is simply setting yourself apart ny digging deep with a client where most stop after simply scratching the surface. Consider in any personal relationship you have to peel back the onion skin and then each layer to create connection, I’d like you to consider it’s the same with sales. Take selling out of the equation and go in with intent to listen and learn and be of service. The rest follows.

In my experience the building a simplified architecture is one of the hardest tasks to accomplish. Most engineers can build a highly stitched together solution with complex integrations that only another expert can understand. Building a highly functional solution that administrators can effectively run, while still meeting the system requirements takes next level skills. Even harder than that is being able to effectively get consensus and buy-in for the solution. It takes careful communications and deep understanding of technology to get others to line up behind your ideas.

Being passionate and creative is key to exercising thought leadership. Creativity not only fuels innovation but also empowers individuals to forge unique career paths that align with their strengths and aspirations. One example comes from a client of mine. Recognizing a gap in her organization, she proactively crafted a new role tailored to her creative skillset and proposed it to the management. By clearly articulating the potential impact of this role and the resulting benefits for the company, she successfully convinced the leadership team to adopt her vision. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, design roles or projects that highlight your creative strengths and present them to the management.

One of the best things about being a thought leader is helping people see things differently. Like a counselor, coach or mentor, the goal isn't to achieve what I want, but to help people better see their own issues, and help them see how to get what they need or where they are looking to go. The goal is never a sale either, but rather just to help. If your goal is money driven it's obvious to the listener. You can't fake passion and genuine care.

This may be contrary to some, but be careful who you listen to. Just because someone is bestowed the title of expert, does not mean they are the right expert for you. Or that their approach is the right approach for you.

In thought leadership, the journey is as important as the destination. Remaining flexible and open to unforeseen opportunities is crucial. Flexibility allows you to adapt to changes, embrace new ideas, and innovate continuously. The ability to pivot when necessary ensures that you remain relevant and responsive to industry shifts and trends. Unforeseen opportunities often present themselves in unexpected ways. Staying open-minded and ready to act enables you to capitalize on these chances, whether it’s a new collaboration, a speaking engagement, or a ground breaking project. Being adaptable helps build resilience. It prepares you to handle setbacks and turn challenges into opportunities, ultimately strengthening your leadership.

Consider your long-term goals and the legacy you want to create. Thought leadership is not about immediate recognition but about building a lasting impact. Stay true to your values, be authentic in your engagements, and continuously strive to make a difference.