What do you do if you want to become a thought leader in your industry from day one?

To help identify your niche, consider the intersection of three areas – 1) your passion, 2) your context, and 3) your lived experience. Passion - What are you fired up about? What do you care deeply about that other others need to understand or learn or be aware of? Context - What sector are you in? What types of organizations do you serve? Who are the individuals you seek to serve? Experience - What experiences have shaped you and made you who you are? What have you learned along the way? Identifying opportunities at the intersection of these three areas will help you to identify and focus on niches that are most likely to serve you well in the long-term.

Find that overlap in what you love to talk about + what you're good at. Doing so allows you to bring natural enthusiasm and you'll already have stories and experiences that will allow you to begin sharing from an authentic, engaging place.

Becoming a thought leader from day one is unlikely due to the time needed to build credibility, expertise and a strong network. Establishing a track record of valuable contributions, creating high-quality content and gaining the trust of peers takes consistent effort. However, you can accelerate this journey by identifying unique angles in your niche, engaging with influencers, seeking mentorship and leveraging social proof through early testimonials and case studies. Focusing on continuous learning, adapting to industry trends and maintaining authenticity will further solidify your path to thought leadership. Patience, persistence and strategic effort are essential.

Focus on a specific area within your domain to provide valuable insights. While you may excel in various aspects, identify the niche where you're both an expert and passionate. This combination will make your content engaging and resonate with your audience. Aim to simplify complex topics, as readers and listeners appreciate quick and clear understanding

Feeling stuck with what content to create? Scroll through your DMs or emails... and start a list of all the questions you've been asked. Turn those questions into bite-sized content that shares your answer - by threading your stories, frameworks, best tips, etc. Keep in mind, if one person had a question and asked it out loud - you can be assured so many others did too (but were likely to scared to ask!)

I would suggest refraining from offering help until you feel confident that you can help. Until then, just offer perspectives. Remember this thread is all about day 1 (and possibly year one). Follow @Jon McCoy's advice and engage in conversations where everyone can contribute - it doesn't have to be your idea, if you are the person who creates the opportunity for the idea then you have led the thought!

Don't just create content... create conversations. Invite people to jump in by asking a pointed question in your content... and/or tagging people in the comments that you know might have something to add to the convo. But most importantly... if/when someone takes time to reply - thank them + keep the convo going + growing. Social media is mean to be social :) Also - behold the power of the DMs. If someone shared something that resonated with you - take a minute to shoot them a DM and tell them so. I promise it will help you grow your network in a meaningful way.

You can start by Offering your perspective, first without leading the process. Engage with other contributors, participate in discussions online , in workshops and seminars, this will also grow your professional network. The more you engage with both industry peers, colleagues in business and Offering mentoring opportunities, the more you get exposed to new ideas and new perspectives, without being a thought leadership. Your networks will expose you to new speaking engagements and increased collaboration and global visibility. Ultimately your networks will determine your networth.

I’ve found it helpful to not only share my own opinion on events and issues in my industry to be share and comment on other opinions as well. Be part of the discussions even if you don’t initiate them.

Engaging is so much more than a “like,” a connection request, or a generic comment. To truly build an effective and meaningful network, engage deeply. Provide reflections on content that others post. ASK good questions. Pay attention to the other comments. You need to cut through the noise and show that you care by proving why you care. Don’t be afraid- start interacting.

First thing I’d suggest is to read everything on the topic you can get your hands on! Self learning is too easy these days with so much online content and podcasts available! There’s really no excuse you can’t become a functional expert at whatever you choose. Next, find a good mentor. Shadow them, learn from them, and soak up all that good knowledge!

1. Stay in the know: Always be learning by reading industry publications, attending events, and taking courses. This will keep your ideas fresh and valuable. 2. Share your knowledge: Take what you learn and make it easy for others to understand. Break down complex topics into clear and helpful content. Remember: Becoming a thought leader takes time and consistent effort. Be patient, keep sharing valuable insights, and you'll establish yourself as a trusted voice in your field.

Share your journey of growth/learning. You can start by sharing about a recent book you read, or podcast you listened to, or an event you attended. But don't just share about it... Tag the creator, share why it resonated with you and what it stirred up in you. Then tag a few friends who you think it might resonate with it too. All these steps create a bigger conversation - and as you consistently do that over time - you'll turn your personal growth into your community growth too.

Sharing stories of times you failed, or were scared or were wrong (gulp!) are the moments that cut through the noise of our feeds of perceived perfection. It allows others to see themselves in our own stories and breaks down the walls to create connection + empathy.

1. Be yourself: People connect with real people. Share your genuine thoughts and experiences. 2. Share it all: Don't be afraid to show both successes and failures. It builds trust and makes you relatable. 3. Find your voice: What makes you different? Share your unique perspective to stand out. By being authentic, you'll build a strong connection with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your ideas. Remember, becoming a thought leader takes time and effort, so be patient and keep sharing your valuable insights!

If you want to become a thought leader in your industry from day one, relentless innovation is essential. Challenge the status quo and relentlessly pursue new solutions to existing problems. Don't shy away from taking calculated risks with your ideas; being a thought leader means paving the way with creativity, foresight, and a vision that goes beyond the present. Your commitment to advancing the industry by pushing boundaries and demonstrating innovative thinking will inspire others, amplifying your influence and establishing your reputation as a forward-thinking leader. By consistently innovating, you set yourself apart and lead with authority and inspiration.

To become a thought leader in your industry from day one, don't just innovate—immerse yourself deeply within your field and build genuine connections. Engage actively on platforms where your audience and peers gather, sharing valuable insights and unique perspectives. Attend conferences, webinars, and forums, and don't shy away from speaking engagements. Leverage storytelling to share your unique experiences and success stories that highlight your expertise and innovative approach. Maintain a strong digital presence through blogs, articles, and social media, ensuring your voice is heard consistently.

The best advice I've read is that you need to be thoughtful and a leader - which sounds a bit simple - but you need to focus on both of those. Thought leadership is not just having thoughts, it's how these thoughts, your experience, fresh research and point of view move the ball forward for this topic and will bring people along that new path. It's fresh - not just something we can get if we crank the handle on ChatGPT that reiterates or reflects the current thinking.