How can you use writing to drive innovation as a Thought Leader?

You're not a thought leader if you don't have thoughts of your own. And one of the most effective ways to share your original thoughts is to write for a specific person, on a specific journey. Many conversations about niching focus on a topic or demographic but that's not as helpful as focusing on your reader's journey. For instance, writing about "wellness for career moms, in their first year postpartum" is more original and compelling than writing about "wellness for women". Before you write, ask "Who am I writing for?": - What have they been through? - What do they already know? - Where are they trying to go? Think "one person, on a journey" and your writing will be instantly sharper, clearer, and more shareable.

Writing as a powerful tool should demonstrate deep expertise and insight on a particular topic. It should spark creativity, motivation and curiosity in our audience, and challenge them to think critically and explore different viewpoints. With knowledge and passion, we can also inspire others to build on our ideas and contribute to the field.

Finding your niche is vital to becoming a thought leader. It's about identifying where your unique value, expertise, and passion intersect with the needs and curiosity of your audience. Consider the problems you're passionate about solving or the opportunities you're excited to explore. What sets your perspective apart? By pinpointing your niche, you focus your content on what truly matters, connecting deeply with your audience and solidifying your credibility. It's the clarity of your specialized voice that will make you stand out.

Authenticity and experience-driven writing can be powerful tools for establishing yourself as a thought leader in innovation. By sharing your genuine experiences and insights backed by data-driven evidence, you can attract a following of engaged readers and position yourself as an expert in your field. Your writing can also spark new ideas, inspire others to think differently about the challenges and opportunities facing their industries, and help you to develop and refine your own ideas, leading to more innovative solutions.

Here's how I discovered my niche: By pondering, - What unique blend of expertise and passion do I possess? - How can my viewpoint unveil new ideas and solutions? - In what ways can I challenge or enrich existing perspectives? And, I realized it's more than just identifying a niche; it's about channeling your passion to disrupt the norm. Where your distinct voice is your greatest asset and powerful agents of change!

As a thought leader, your writing should not only have a clear purpose but also drive innovation and inspire change. Aim to introduce new perspectives, challenge conventional wisdom, and provide unique insights. Your writing should act as a catalyst for discussion, encouraging readers to think critically and explore new possibilities. Focus on identifying gaps in current knowledge or practice, and offer novel solutions or ideas. Effective thought leadership writing is not just about conveying information; it’s about sparking transformation and leading the way in your field. By combining purposeful writing with a vision for innovation, you can significantly influence your industry and contribute to its evolution.

About 15 years ago, I facilitated a product management leadership program. I was disappointed by the executives who were more interested in their functional agendas than their collective contribution to the company. As I processed my frustration, I took some notes on a lined yellow pad. Over the course of a few weeks, I wrote sixty pages. What came from my stream-of-consciousness rants was the idea for a book that I shared with the publisher McGraw-Hill – who offered me a contract to write the first edition of The Product Manager’s Desk Reference; a 250,000-word 800-page book! My goal is to connect with readers on a level that is simple and accessible. As one reader said to me, “It’s like having Steven Haines in the room talking to me.”

When I write, I have the needs of my reader in mind. What do they need now (h/t to AJ Harper for teaching this.). It helps me to stay focused and to ensure that what I write will in some way enhance someone's perspective, improve their career, or give them something interesting to discuss at the next networking event. That's my purpose - to give my reader something that will make their life better and reward them for having invested in reading what I publish.

One thing I feel is critical is authenticity. Many are too concerned w saying what they believe people want to hear vs what they believe. When this happens people come across as inauthentic and it shows. Never lie. When you say something you might not believe it’s a lie to yourself. Being clear and courageous is critical and feeds your soul.

Thought leadership in consulting and advisory work must be purpose-driven to be relevant and create value-add, otherwise it is academic. I have been in strategic consulting for over 30 years, and customers seek service when it is hard work, meaning hard thinking to be done. My speciality is Equity Capital Markets, Investor Relations, ESG rating, ESG materiality and Sustainability Strategy (C1,2 &3 decarbonisation). My speciality industry is Telecoms, IT and Digital Media, TMT.

A few tips (if you're already in the thought leadership space) 1. Develop a network. The more people you know, the more people you can talk to. 2. Talk to people. The spark of some of the best ideas come from conversations with real clients, facing real issues. 3. Listen for phrasing. How you say it (i.e. capture the essence of the concept) gives the idea wings. 4. Write it down. It doesn't get real until you commit it to paper (what an outdated expression). 5. Research. Above is the idea generation process. Then you need to validate. (a) Go to Google scholar, AI/ Bard/ ChatGPT, finding and citing original sources that support the idea. (b) Conduct your own qualitative or quantitative research to validate the idea. 6. Write and publish.

Using data, stories and case studies are an excellent way to PERSAUDE and influence people. And you can save those stories, save those statistics and use them over and over again in your talks, your workshops, and your content. ??

As a thought leader, the onus is on you to ensure that the data you share is 100% accurate. You’re sharing thoughts using a particular platform with the intent of helping people. Accuracy is key as you do that. This isn’t because your audience can research your findings and prove you wrong. Instead, this is due to the fact that being a leader, of any kind, comes with a particular set of responsibilities. Chief among which is the desire to disseminate sound information that will benefit your following; and ultimately, humanity at large. And isn’t that the goal after all?

Totally agree but please make sure you also proofread and edit what you share, otherwise it gets frowned upon and discarded.

I arrived in Edinburgh for the Festival Fringe this year without having arranged a venue. I thought that I would be able to find one because people would drop out. While I was waiting to find a venue I did a bunch of things that helped me develop my thought leadership. 1. I talked anyway. Every day on the meadows (a park in Edinburgh) I talked to a camera and posted the videos online. This not only gave me content for social media, but it really helped me develop my thinking. I found that talking was a much better way of "editing" my ideas than just trying to manipulate a word doc. 2. I handed out flyers. This helped me develop a short pitch for the show. 3. I attended courses on how to promote my show.

I was once told that I write in a style that is exactly how I would speak in a conversation and they could actually hear my voice when reading my words. They felt engaged in a conversation despite via text. I think that is because I'm so deeply entrenched in the community I serve, constantly listening and considering their needs, that when I write anything at all I'm already having a conversation in my head with the community and I'm eager to engage with their comments. "Dialogue" - no matter what form - is critical to ensure you are showing your respect of the community, learning as much as you are sharing, and listening more than you are speaking.

Imagine speaking to someone at a networking event and they engage with what you say... and then you say nothing or don't react. ?? Yikes, it's so important to build a brand and thought leadership around being responsive, thoughtful and engaging. ??

For thought leadership, the worst advice ever is a) tell them what you're going to say; b) say it; c) remind them that you said it. That is a great formula for having a *disengaged* audience. Instead, the point is a) start unexpectedly (the hook; I want my audience to know immediately this is not just another presentation); b) tell a compelling story that is at least equal parts enlightening and entertaining; c) expose the big takeaway near the end, in act three. Then summarize *not* what you've told them, but rather the key learnings from the story you've told them.

Thought leaders must maintain a deep understanding of their own domain while also staying attuned to related fields. By broadening their perspective and drawing connections across different areas of knowledge, they can enrich their expertise. Achieving this requires engaging with a diverse array of peers and audiences to exchange ideas and insights.

Being open to new ideas is a great way to increase your knowledge. It isn't possible to fill a mind that is full or that believes it owns the truth.

The trick is to write like you speak. When you speak, it's the real, raw and expressive you that comes out. So instead of conforming to a template, trick or latest writing fad being peddled over here - you do you.

Writing is indeed a process of discovery, iteration, and constant editing. How many times have you started proofreading a document only to realize that you need to edit it again? What I have found to be most interesting is the act of “discovering” what I’ll be writing about. I recall putting metaphorical pen to paper (I use a laptop, naturally) with the intent to write about a particular topic only to realize that I’m writing about something completely different. This has always struck me and often takes place because there are particular stories stored in our minds that feel the need to get out and be expressed. Being open as you put pen to paper can actually be a magical process.

Thought leadership is more about sense-making than experimentation and iteration. It's about working through challenges to confirm or not a hypothesis or idea and if necessary pivot.

Three key steps that have helped me transport my ideas from my head to paper are: 1. Brain Dumping - simply write down whatever you have in points, paragraphs, or broken sentences. Write it in whichever way that helps you continue your train of thought. 2. Re-phrase - analyze your dump and try to rephrase it as simply as you can. If you can keep it simple, you can make it more effective. 3. Re-write - once you have rephrased and made your ideas simple, rewrite them with the new clarity you have gained from the previous two steps. You will see that the rewritten ideas are much sharper, well-thought-out, and simple. Bonus Step: Cut unnecessary adjectives or words wherever possible.

The more that you do something - you will uncover your own unique style and rhythm. With writing, it's important to do it on a consistent basis. There is an element of subjectivity to writing. I do agree that it's important to analyze data and optimize. However, don't be so overzealous that your message and unique voice gets lost in the process.

In my view, thought leadership is not about being a global expert in a niche field. That's an expert. Curiosity and humilty drive learning. Our world is complex and the problems we need to solve are often incredibly complex. Due to increased specialisation in our formal education system, hardly anyone has all the knowledge and skills to solve many of the problems we encounter today. So, humilty is important to recogsise that we don't have all the answers. It is OK to ask questions, listen, and learn. And genuine curiosity will help us frame the right questions. It is only through this kind of iterative process, working with a team or a network of collaborators, that new thinking can arise. This is thought leadership as it ought to be.

Continuous learning from both your own writing and others' is crucial. It's important to engage with a wide array of sources, genres, and styles, enriching your perspectives and understanding. Seeking feedback and guidance helps refine your writing skills and expand your knowledge. Challenging your assumptions and exploring new possibilities keeps your thoughts fresh and innovative. This commitment to growth not only improves your writing but also drives you towards becoming a more insightful and pioneering thought leader.

To increase our influence as a thought Leader, we should learn from the best - to continually develop ourself. Study people who have achieved what you aspire to, to learn the right way to reach your goals faster. Find the models to follow in your field and study experts in your field worldwide. Study international brands and companies and how they manage to influence more people and make them follow, like, and buy from them.

You cannot be a thought leader in a vacuum. Ideas and innovation require external inputs to thrive, and wider the variety, the better. My favorite and most effective way of learning is by asking questions. Got into a lot of trouble at school because of that, but not with the right teachers. I often joke that my first words as a baby must have been a question. If you don't ask questions, you won't get any answers. Good questions are: 1. Contextual 2. Specific yet open-ended 3. Thought-provoking 4. Sparks to elicit an honest response (whether you like or agree with the response is immaterial) Over time, you will learn to ask the right question at the right time to the right person. What can you do to get there?

Learning is a shared responsibility, a principle often emphasized during our school years. However, it can sometimes be overlooked as we become engrossed in our professional lives. As we progress into leadership roles, the importance of sharing knowledge and experiences becomes even more crucial. By sharing our expertise, insights, and lessons learned, we can foster a culture of continuous learning within our organizations. This not only benefits individual growth but also promotes collaboration, innovation, and overall success. As aspiring leaders, it is essential to prioritise and actively engage in sharing knowledge to create a learning environment that benefits everyone involved.

I'll be honest - this article perpetuates the misconception that writing is about "getting your brilliant ideas down on paper" and that the key skills are research and clear communication. In the real world, writing doesn't work like that at all. Writing isn't how you communicate your ideas - writing is how you formulate and create them. Great thought leaders use writing to explore and sharpen their ideas. The human brain just doesn't have enough capacity to hold complex ideas in working memory. As a result, what you think is a great idea in your head is just the bones of one until you write it down. The process of writing and actually seeing that idea expressed in words allows you to explore and improve it in ways you can't in your head.

Be clear, concise and real. Tell stories that others can relate to, learn from and/or expand upon. Nobody knows it all, and we can often learn as much or more from feedback to our content as we may impart to others.

How can you use writing to drive innovation as a Thought Leader? Writing with a heart-centered approach can catalyze innovation by fostering authentic connections, inspiring creativity, and promoting empathy. By sharing personal experiences, insights, and vision, you cultivate a supportive community eager to collaborate and innovate. Through storytelling and vulnerability, you invite diverse perspectives and spark meaningful dialogue, leading to breakthrough ideas. Your words become a catalyst for positive change, empowering others to embrace innovation with compassion and purpose.

"Find your tribe" resonates as a powerful call to action. The thrill of connecting with an audience that truly shares your passion and energy is unforgettable. There is a world out there eager for your voice, your insights. It's essential to seek out these like-minded individuals and communities. By doing so, you amplify your contributions and propel your purpose forward with greater velocity and impact. Your message can inspire, motivate, and ignite change, but first, you must find those who are waiting to hear it.

Don't be boring. If your writing is on "lather/rinse/repeat" - essentially saying the same old thing as everyone else out there - people won't stop the scroll. Say something interesting. Have a perspective. Live a little.