Here's how you can establish credibility and authority as a thought leader through communication.

Start with a relatable message like, "Did you know 85% of Gen Z uses social media for learning new skills?" By pivoting their learning habits and interests directly, you can craft a message that resonates, adds value, and fosters meaningful engagement. This approach transforms mere information into influential thought leadership.

1. Find your niche: Know what you're an expert in and what makes your viewpoint interesting. 2. Offer something valuable: Share insights that help your audience, not just random thoughts. 3. Speak their language: Use clear, concise words and tailor your message to their interests.

If you want to inspire your audience to take some kind of action, the fastest way to do that is by leveraging what I call Connection-Centered Thought Leadership?. This strategy involves sharing your expertise alongside authentic storytelling to create emotional and intellectual bonds with the audience, making them feel more connected to the person sharing the story, and more likely to take action. The formula you can use to craft your message using Connection-Centered Thought Leadership? is: Education + Connection = Action Using this strategy, thought leaders can create powerful connections with their audience, making their messages more impactful and their causes more compelling.

Often we are communicating because we have something to say (buy my product, go to my event, ...), but to your reader, this can often just be noise. Instead, take a walk in the audience's shoes. Speak to a need they have. Share in their story and help them find your resources.

The hook and the conclusion are the most important. What's in-between helps going from the hook to the conclusion. Delete anything that doesn't serve that purpose.

Consistency in communication is crucial for credibility. Take Emma Chamberlain, for instance. Despite diversifying her platforms, she maintains her authentic voice, which resonates with her audience. Interestingly, 85% of Gen Z follows influencers/creators for their consistent authenticity, solidifying their status as trusted thought leaders.

Remember consistency is key. To maintain credibility, make sure that your message and presence are consistent across all platforms. Regularly published content that is highly regarded, and it reflects your core values and expertise. Whether it's social media blog posts updates or public speaking engagements have a steady stream of insightful content that keeps you on top of your audience. Over time, this consistency enhances your authority and helps you become a trustworthy voice in your industry as well as potentially others.

When speaking we always have a bias of thinking we repeat ourselves too much, when in the ear of the listener repetition helps and doesn't seem as invasive. It's perceived as consistency. That's why signature quotes are so effective.

Engaging with your audience isn't just about talking at them; it's about having a real conversation. Take TikTok creators, for example. They don't just post content; they interact with comments, collaborate with followers, and create a sense of community. Did you know that 76% of Gen Z expects brands to respond to their feedback on social media within 24 hours? That's the true power of active engagement.

The concept of leadership is a two-way street. In my opinion, leadership is not about promoting your ideas; it is also about fostering meaningful conversation. Engage in your audience by responding to comments, participating in discussions, and seeking feedback. Show that you appreciate their input and are open to diverse perspectives. This interactive approach does not only enhance your community, but also enhances your credibility by demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning and collaboration.

Use the power of the name. Nothing bring us more into attention than hearing our name in a conversation. "What do you think Lucy?" "do you agree John?" are powerful, and make sure your thought-leadership is collective.

Stories are how we connect. They're how we learn. They resonate and stick in our minds. With good storytelling, you can illustrate complex ideas, conceptions and information in a way that truly clicks with your audience and feels accessible to them. They have the relatability factor, as well as memorability. Stories will work to humanize your brand and highlight you as a thought leader in your space.

Speak to the both sides of the brain: the left with data, and the right with stories. Credibility comes from quotes backed up by data, and authority comes from creating engagement about what you're saying through emotion.

Our experiences make who we are, and the best way to share them is through story telling. Writing about you learned, how you succeeded or failed and which connections you made along the way is a great way to impact others.

No one ever asked their parents at bedtime to tell them some data. Messages land, then stick, when they are in a story. We are wired to remember them. It's also a chance to allow people to know you, connect. By sharing past victories, or better yet, failures, you show your humanity and willingness to learn and grow. Tell those stories!

In a changing online world, realness is fascinating. Posturing is dull. Delving into insightful, authentic content that gets to the heart of your passions, experiences, and purpose will often create higher engagement. It counters the boredom generated by standard company lines and banal messaging. It also allows brands and individuals to build trust much faster and more effectively. It's important to note that nearly 80% of CEOs across the UK, Sweden, and Germany are posting personal content on LinkedIn on a regular basis and getting real results. Flaws make us interesting. Scars show our strength. The wounds we suffer are moments of connection. Vulnerability is compelling. Perfect is boring. It's okay to project your vulnerable self.

It's so much easier to connect with someone who shows their humanity rather than presenting a perfectly crafted facade. You don't have to "vulnerability vomit" on your audience, but you can offer up connection points in the form of stories, personal anecdotes, and examples of times when you overcame something. By showing up as a whole, imperfect person to your audience, you'll build trust and likeability much faster.

Vulnerability can deepen connections. Take, for instance, a Gen Z influencer who openly shares their struggles with mental health. Studies show 79% of Gen Z feels more connected to influencers who share their vulnerabilities. It's about authenticity and transparency, showing we're all in this together.

This is an underrated skill. I mean, Brené Brown have written a book about it. Right. But between theory and practice there's a huge world. It's actually proven that demonstrating that you are a learner makes your words more trustworthy.

1. Share valuable content: People follow those who offer helpful advice, interesting analysis, or even just questions that make them think. 2. Make them smarter: When your communication educates or informs your audience, they see you as a reliable source worth listening to. 3. Be consistent: Regularly providing valuable content builds trust and establishes you as a thought leader in your field.

Beyond delivering in your professional area, it is important to be visible in a sustainable way across "channels of visibility ", e.g., 1-1 interactions, presentations/speeches, communities/networks that relate to your area