How can you develop a personal learning plan for Thought Leadership?

To develop a personal learning plan for Thought Leadership start here: - Identify your niche and goals. -Apply NLP techniques for effective communication and self-reflection. - Engage in continuous learning, utilizing NLP for efficient information processing. - Network skillfully, using NLP rapport-building. - Create impactful content, leveraging NLP in public speaking. - Embrace feedback, using NLP for positive reframing. - Build a distinct personal brand, and mentor others. - - Stay updated with trends and innovate. - Use NLP for work-life balance, regularly assess progress, and adapt your strategy for ongoing growth.

This idea was first expressed by my dad who had very little education, but a great deal of common sense. He always said the first step in any project was to take stock of where you were to understand where you were going. Understanding your strengths is vital to your success. One important question is realizing the gaps or challenges in your field. I have found the new AI Chat helpful. Of course, the technology is not perfect, but it can rapidly assess where the gaps are in information and save you hundreds of hours of reading and trying to determine those for yourself.

One thing I've found to be helpful in thought leadership is to balance presenting what appears to be new thinking with presenting existing thinking in new ways. The former pushes at the edges of convention and takes courage and persistence. The second helps bring the audience with you on the change journey. So as well as assessing your own position within your specialism, also assess where the broad middle might be and tailor your content and messaging accordingly. You can then develop others' understanding rather than simply baffling them by leaping too far ahead.

For a good portion of my life, I have wanted to write more. I decided a couple of years ago to start an MA in Writing, which was the best decision I ever made. After you have assessed your level of competency, do not be afraid to educate yourself in an area of need. You are never too old to learn new things. I recently taught a lady who was working on her LPN in Nursing. She was 64 years old and caring for a mother with Alzheimer's. She graduated with honors and passed her boards on the first try. So what is our excuse?

This section may feel counter intuitive. Surely if one is wanting lead in thought, a learning resource has already been there, done that and got the t-shirt? Instead, think about learning resources as springboards to stimulate your own thinking. How you think about something will always be unique. So take a learning resource and think about how you might want to communicate that. What's your individual spin on it. How can you some extra value to a particular audience? It's good to keep a reflective learning journal so you are not only absorbing the learning material you are also producing something new as a result. This will be a good source of the new thinking you can generate and disseminate as your distinctive thought leadership.

Selecting learning resources strategically is crucial for thought leadership. Opt for mediums aligning with your preferences, like books, articles, or podcasts. Engage in courses, webinars, or workshops that resonate with your learning style. Cultivate relationships with mentors, coaches, and peers to gain valuable insights. Additionally, contribute by creating content through blogs, newsletters, or speaking engagements. Tailoring your learning resources to your style ensures a personalized and effective path to elevate your thought leadership.

Reading is essential, but we often lack the time for it. That’s why we are tempted to settle for quick alternatives. A summary. A podcast that reviews a book. We want the gist, the highlights, the main points. But you should resist this temptation. You should invest the time and read the original sources. If you want to learn and inspired about thought leadership, you should read how leaders describe their own challenges. Take this as an example. Read Thucydides, not someone who summarizes what they learned from reading Thucydides. (And I mean it, do read Thucydides!) We should not follow the crowd. We should do the hard work. Real leaders do.

I subscribe to a number of newsletters and organizations that are related to my field/topic of interest and often are countering my perspective. I also regularly scan Google Scholar for pieces that may not have hit the main discussion boards or top ranked pieces. For me it's important to understand the outer circles or fringes as well as the counter perspectives as I develop my own insights and theories. Bringing in other disciplines helps deepen my thinking.

This is something I am currently working on. Being more focussed, goal orientated for 2024. This way my three D's should create my learning plan for success. Discipline, Determination, Dedication - it worked in the competitive forum of International Powerlifting a few years back. So, I believe using the same format for me should provide the same impact if not better as a Thought Leader. My diary is already filling up with dates of activity including reading, writing and speaking. Today I'm reading... Influential Woman : A fresh approach to tackling inequality and leading change at work. Dion Johnson - The Womanologist. And so it starts...

I wanted to just emphasize the point above about flexibility. Some parts of the plan will work and some won’t. And life changes. So being open to a change up increases the chance of actually progressing forward

One aspect that is not listed here is talking with others -- both other thought leaders and those who aren't as familiar with your topic. It helps hone your thinking and how you communicate your thoughts. I try to find 1 person each month I don't know well in or tangent to my field and meet for a conversation. I not only expand my network but it's often led to new avenues for me to think about.

To develop a personal learning plan for Thought Leadership, carefully plan your learning activities. This involves identifying key areas in your field where you need to deepen your knowledge or skills. Choose activities that align with these areas, such as reading industry publications, attending webinars, participating in workshops, or networking with peers. Set specific goals and timelines for each activity to keep your learning structured and focused. This deliberate approach ensures your learning is strategic and contributes effectively to your growth as a thought leader.

It's worth holding in mind that thought leadership sounds like a solitary activity but in many ways it is a group activity. Whilst reading might be solitary, learning is often done better as a collaborative activity. Opportunities for thinking together with others should not be avoided, but sought out as it will enrich your own thought leadership journey. Niche your area of expertise in thought leadership and you will find your friends and allies not competition.

In developing a personal learning plan for thought leadership, applying your learning outcomes is crucial. This means integrating new knowledge and skills into your daily activities and professional practices. Share your insights through articles, presentations, or discussions. Implement new strategies and ideas in your work, and actively seek opportunities to apply what you've learned in real-world scenarios. This application solidifies your learning and demonstrates your evolving expertise as a thought leader.

Learning is not a solitary activity, but a social one. Involve others in your journey. Share your excitement after reading a new book, listening to an amazing podcast, or having a breakthrough idea. Seek feedback, accept constructive criticism, and refine your notes and ideas. If you don’t have such people in your immediate surroundings, you can use social media to find them. There are many online communities where you can learn from and with others who share your interests. By doing this, you will not only enhance your own learning, but also contribute to the learning of others. You will discover new perspectives, insights, and opportunities that you might have missed otherwise.

Must do an assessment on how effective your learning has been! For example, how effective have you been in your self-directer learning program?