Here's how you can select the ideal continuing education program for your Thought Leadership career goals.

It is critical to have a clear idea of how you want to bring impact in addition to your core values. From there you have the tools that you need to select a program that is fully aligned with your goals.

Start with the subject you are most passionate about and then investigate how you can enhance and professionalize your knowledge. Define your key requirements. If you only have a few hours per week on a specific day then an online short course will more likely be a good fit.

Always keep your short-term and long-term goals in mind. I also make sure to include my medium and immediate ones to help me stay focused and alert. When you are fully aware of your goals, you can take breaks when necessary, knowing that you always have long-term and medium-term goals to keep you motivated. Be certain about where you want to focus your future and have a clear vision of what it looks like. I always advise my clients to start from old age back, as this approach allows for graceful expansion. While details may change, I've found that the major goal remains consistent if it comes from the heart.

When selecting a continuing education program for Thought Leadership, aligning the program with your career goals is crucial. Clearly define what you want to achieve—deepening expertise in a specific area, expanding your influence, or transitioning into a new industry. Your chosen program should directly support these objectives, providing the tools, knowledge, and connections that propel you forward in your Thought Leadership journey. Ensure the program aligns with where you want to go, not just where you are now.

I would agree with all of these! Another major focus is the time commitment for your goals and the program goals. If you want to be a principal next year and you are signing up for a 2 year program, that doesn’t correlate. An accelerated program would be needed to complete your goals in a time sensitive plan.

Bu enrolling into a education program, you are investing your time & money. So, it's very important to research about it. Whether it covers the subjects in a holistic way. That is, whether it covers the 'What', 'How' & 'Why' about the subject. Whether it tells about, how that subject started, current trends & future outlook. What are the benefits, challenges of that subject. Your course should offer all these. Apart from that, it should also challenge you to think hard, help you to break your own 'self-limiting' thoughts. You should get both, academic knowledge as well as good understanding of real world examples.

Conduct thorough research as there are many tempting opportunities out there. As you invest your time, money, and energy, remember that conquering your field may pose challenges. At times, you may not make the "right" decision. Embrace these challenges and mistakes as opportunities for growth and expansion.

When choosing a program for advanced strategic thinking, a client I advised checked the program’s accreditation, reviewed feedback from previous attendees, and confirmed the expertise of the instructors. This thorough evaluation led them to a highly regarded course that significantly enhanced their thought leadership and contributed to their career advancement. To select the ideal continuing education program for your thought leadership career goals, be sure to verify the quality of the program by evaluating its credentials, reviewing course content, and seeking testimonials from past participants. Ensure the program is recognized by industry experts and aligns with your specific career objectives.

Other questions could include- What skills do they have that you can learn from? What have they published? Do they love what they do? I have found that the people behind the trainings…their expertise, passion, and continued research are much larger lifelong learning potential impacts.

Choosing the right continuing education program can significantly advance your thought leadership. For example, I worked with a client who wanted to become a recognized authority in digital marketing. We selected the “Digital Marketing Specialization” from Coursera, known for its comprehensive industry knowledge and hands-on projects. Upon completion, the client utilized their new skills to create a series of impactful webinars and articles on cutting-edge digital marketing strategies. This not only boosted their credibility but also expanded their professional network, connecting them with other experts in the field. The targeted education helped solidify their position as a leading voice in digital marketing.

Outcomes present themselves in various forms, each with its unique qualities. When seeking a supportive program, it's crucial to carefully evaluate your options. Reflecting on my early journey, I realized that I had invested substantial sums in coaches who were ill-prepared and even inflicted humiliation on many of us. This realization was rooted in a recent negative job experience and a period of low self-esteem. These experiences taught me valuable lessons on how not to treat my clients and the level of respect I should demand. It's important to remember that every investment should yield a positive return.

I have learned that looking at the program current graduates matters a lot! Some programs that have been around for a while and haven’t been updated with the best practices and meaningful current learning may leave their students behind compared to other programs with continued improvement.

A network is key to any progress. Once you have chosen the education to enhance your thought leadership, be sure to make use of the network opportunities and set yourself clear goals to do so up front.