Here's how you can harness confidence to achieve success as a thought leader.

Thought leadership requires confidence, as one has to try new ideas , come up with new approaches, be a iconoclast. Lack of confidence may stem from what others will say . Embrace vulnerability as part of life Research and stay updated on your topic Effective communication is key to thought leadership. Practice articulating your ideas clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself Look at failure as a key to success

Know Your Stuff: Confidence stems from competence. Deepen your knowledge and expertise in your chosen field through continuous learning, research, and practical experience. Stay up-to-date with industry trends, developments, and best practices to bolster your credibility as a thought leader. Define Your Niche: Identify your unique area of expertise or specialization within your field. Clarify what sets you apart from others and what specific insights or perspectives you can offer. Focusing on a niche allows you to establish yourself as a go-to authority in that particular area.

Without confidence you can not be a thought leader. Because everyone who is not fully open for change will challenge you. My recommendation is to find a mentor and like-minded supporters that help you building up the confidence. Psychological safety is the foundation to act confidently.

Reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, and values to understand yourself better. Engage in regular self-reflection practices such as journaling or meditation to deepen your self-awareness and enhance your confidence. This self-awareness can help you make decisions that align with your values and leverage your strengths.

Cultivating self-awareness requires introspection and the willingness to reflect about who are and who you are being, as well as who you are becoming. You cannot be a thought leader, if you are trying to be someone else, comparing yourself harshly to others, or parroting that which others are saying. You must get to know who you truly, authentically are and have a clear sense of your values, mission, vision, purpose and passions. You must assess your thoughts, emotions, behavior and results to have honest conversations with yourself about what’s working, and what needs to shift. You’ll want to be clear about where you are headed in service to others, the impact you insist on making and the legacy you’re building to leave behind.

Vulnerability is a leadership super power. Acknowledging that we don't have all the answers give us the chance to be curious, and to draw upon the experiences of the past to create new solutions. The worst thing you can do is to be overconfident, because when the holes start to show, it erodes trust, which can be hard to win back. Being OK with what you know and what you don't know is the ultimate demonstration of self-knowledge, and this is what people seek in a leader.

Vulnerability creates credibility. People don’t want to know about your expertise until they know how much you care, and that perhaps you’ve been through the problem or pain that you’re recommending they shift. By being willing to open up enough to show your audience that you are a real human, with real feelings, fears, doubts, worries and realities, they will be better able to authentically connect with you. That connection creates the initial building blocks of trust, which is the most critical important ingredient to a healthy relationship, personally or professionally. Vulnerability takes courage, and being brave enough to share will earn you respect, as well, which is another important ingredient in developing thought leadership.

To be a thought leader, you need to have deep knowledge in your field. This could involve continuous learning, research, and staying updated with the latest trends and developments. Continuously expand your knowledge and skills in your chosen field of expertise. Invest in ongoing learning opportunities such as workshops, courses, or industry conferences to stay ahead of the curve and establish yourself as a credible authority in your niche.

You do need to have some valuable knowledge to share and domain expertise, otherwise trying to establish yourself as a thought leader would be quite futile. However, many of the smartest people I know suffer from imposter syndrome, and grossly underestimate the value of their insights - and therefore shy away from engaging in any kind of thought leadership processes. Professional development helps gain confidence, but I would also recommend boldy picking up writing, public speaking or posting content while learning and deepening your expertise.

Expertise is not a static event. In order to be a thought leader you must continue learning new skills and broadening your perspective. Your past experience and knowledge base is also an important lens on what is new, because you can compare and contrast different frameworks, primary sources and experts from outside fields.

There are four levels of influence: 1. Influence over yourself and your thoughts 2. Influence over one person 3. Influence over a small group or a community 4. Influence over people you'll never meet At each level of influence your ability to communicate is tested, and the expectations are different, requiring different skills.

Communication and presentation skills are crucial for a thought leader. To feel comfortable speaking to senior stakeholders or be on stage, you need two ingredients: Self-confidence and routine. So there is nothing else than practice, practice and practice. Start with small meetups, gatherings, internal events (in a friendly environment) and then slowly get bigger.

Having strong opinions makes you a lightning rod for criticism as a thought leader. The ability to hold your nerve in the face of pushback is what defines your legacy. Anchoring your views in data and third party evidence is how you make your ideas shine under scrutiny, and foster resilience.

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks. As a thought leader, you’re likely to face challenges and criticism. Learn from these experiences and use them to grow and improve.Develop coping mechanisms such as mindfulness, positive self-talk, and seeking support from mentors or peers to bounce back stronger from adversity and maintain confidence in your abilities.