What do you do if you're transitioning to a thought leadership role in a new industry?

In my opinion, one of the most important attributes of a thought leader is credibility. This stems from building knowledge and trust which are both earned with time. Before a leader is positioned in another role or industry, he or she are preceded with the reputation they built over the course of their career. A thought leader does not become one overnight but rather with hard work, building fruitful relationships and offering valuable solutions and insights.

Transitioning to a thought leadership role in a new industry requires thorough research, niche identification, and consistent content creation. Begin by immersing yourself in the industry, understanding its dynamics, and pinpointing your unique expertise. Create high-quality content, spanning articles, videos, or podcasts, to showcase your insights and opinions. Cultivate a strong personal brand through online platforms like LinkedIn, engaging with your audience, and participating in industry events to expand your network. Prioritize providing value over self-promotion, actively contributing to conversations, and addressing audience needs. Stay updated on industry trends and adapt your strategies accordingly. Measure your impact

I'm not actually sure what a "thought leader" really means - but if you are going to have an opinion or share a perspective about any sector, the first thing to do is to listen to people talk what's going on in that sector. Reading articles and webinars are one thing but they'll probably give you a pretty narrow view - talk to as many people as possible from as many different backgrounds as possible within that space to get a more balanced view of what's going on. Conferences are good for that, as is networking. Will that make you a "thought leader"? Who knows. But it'll give you a better understanding of the sector for sure.

Networking plays a pivotal role in carving out a niche as a thought leader in a new industry. Beyond the typical strategies of connecting with influencers and attending events, I believe it's about fostering genuine relationships. Engaging in authentic conversations, actively listening, and offering valuable insights can help establish rapport and credibility. Moreover, networking isn't just about what you can gain; it's also about what you can contribute. By being generous with knowledge and support, you can build a network that's not only beneficial for personal growth but also conducive to collaboration and collective success.

Becoming visible in a new industry is about developing genuine relationships with people and organizations within that industry. Though there is not much talk about it these days, golfing at the country club has been a long-term standard to get to know people in a variety of industries and no matter what industry you are looking to break into, you can use the personal or professional club component to get to know people on a deeper level. People like to work with those that they like to play with, so when it comes to cultivating status in a new industry, start to think outside the box in order to connect with people in an authentic way as well as developing personal or hobby related relationships.

As a thought leader the goal is to facilitate dialogue and cultural influence for innovation- and to do so with humility and collaboration. The starting point to meet that goal is relationships! Network, build alliances, ask questions, offer to be of service, be authentic and humble, add value, build relationships, ask questions… it never ends and is the core to influence.

Invest time in building positive relationships with industry peers, influencers, and potential collaborators. Networking can provide valuable knowledge and open doors for thought leadership.

When networking with the objective of establishing yourself as a thought leader in a new industry, did not make the mistake of just getting those “key players” in that industry. It is important to get to know those people who interact with those “key players” in that industry. Nothing exists in a vacuum. Don’t lose the forest through the trees.

Thought leadership is about: Ability to internalize knowledge, systhesis complex varied pattern to develop an independent point of view, and communicate clearly. Ability to share is the way to invite perspectives, and further develop thought leadership with more nuanced Point of view

Sharing insights should not only be on what works but also on what did not go through successfully. It is not just about the Dos but also the Donts

True thought leadership is about you distilling your opinions, experience and training into well thought through bodies of work. Showcasing those bodies of work by regularly creating fresh content in social media, newsletters and more can help keep you relevant in your industry. When creating regular content, I encourage my clients to think like retail stores, flow with timely topics, relevant holidays and seasonal concepts to keep your content fresh and relate your bodies of work that are top of mind for people throughout the year. Retail is notorious for capturing people's attention by cultivating sales cycles around holidays and seasons. It's a brilliant strategy and one that thought leaders can use to elevate their careers.

A Thought Leader is an expert. Sharing insights should be amongst the top things to do. You are not just sharing knowledge and insights, you are leading people to a better outcome, hence the leader part.

As you build your knowledge, start sharing your insights. Write articles, blog posts, or white papers that reflect your understanding and perspective on industry issues. Participate in panel discussions and webinars ( get the corp communication approval though) and consider speaking at industry events. Sharing valuable content positions you as a knowledgeable leader and helps engage with the community, inviting feedback and further learning opportunities.

I've spent a significant amount of time working with executives to position them as trusted and reliable experts on a variety of topics. My experience has taught me that when leaders take the time to review historical context and listen to the stakeholders' feedback, they are better equipped to understand the industry's pain points and offer innovative solutions. Impactful thought leaders ask probing questions and lean in to listen with curiosity before speaking. Following this process allows them to communicate on a topic with authenticity and authority while simultaneously building a community of supporters.

The very nature of thought leadership is about paying attention. When you are able to pay attention to what others in your industry are doing or advising, you are keeping your fingers on the pulse of your industry. By sharing your own opinions or innovation within your industry in your bodies of work, such as books, social media posts, videos, and relevant content, you are able to keep relevant in your industry. By being respectful of others opinions and adding your own, you cultivate professionalism within your thought leadership career that cultivates respect. Providing a sophisticated point of view in a polite and respectful way, is a great way to cultivate reputational capital as a thought leader.

Listen Actively. Drive Change. Having navigated various industries as a seasoned consultant and product executive, many skills are required to hit the ground running. None is as indispensable as the art of active listening. In the intricate landscape of a new domain, insights from stakeholders and industry peers are invaluable. We are wonderfully designed with two ears and one mouth for a reason—a testament to the importance of listening twice as much as we speak. Active listening breeds empathy, fosters trust, and establishes rapport—essential components of influential leadership. In an era of rapid innovation, the ability to actively listen empowers thought leaders to not just adapt quickly but to spearhead positive transformation.

Listening is key! read that what makes a great chef is not only their trademark but also they desire to keep on learning about new recipes, and for that, you should listen carefully. Same applies to thought leaders, it′s a never ending process of active listening.

Using the terms "adapt" and "adopt" are invaluable when establishing yourself as a thought leader in a new industry. Crafting narratives around the subject requires acknowledging the industry's dynamic nature- a complex ecosystem influence by evolving technologies, competition, social dynamics, environmental factors and political considerations. Maintaining flexibility to adjust your stance as a thought leader ensures the ongoing freshness and relevance of discussions, compelling others to engage and participate.

From Character research post pandemic, it’s been highlighted that during and post pandemic one of the Top 6 behaviours required by any leader or team member is the ability to adapt. The pace of change is so fast that we come across more and more “unknown” situations and we need to adapt to cope and to continuously improve. There’s help available for people who want to know HOW to dial up your ability to ADAPT

Transitioning to a thought leadership role in new industry requires a strategic approach and a proactive mindset. Firstly it's essential to immerse oneself in the industry's dynamic trends and challenges by conducting through research and networking with industry professionals. Collaborating with established thought leaders and seeking mentorship can provide valuable insights and guidance throughout the transition process. Ultimately embracing continuous learning and adapting new developments are critical for establishing oneself as a thought leader and making meaningful impact in the industry

Conduct a thorough analysis of the supply chain dynamics in the new industry, utilising frameworks such as PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental factors) and Porter’s Five Forces. These analyses will provide insights into the external and competitive forces that shape the industry. Understanding these elements is key to formulating relevant and impactful strategies, helping you establish credibility and authority in your new role.

Cultivate Clarity: Given the complexity and uncertainty in the modern business environment, cultivating clarity is a key business skill that thought leaders bring to the role. Whether it’s designing a critical path solution to an urgent issue or creating an ‘elevator pitch’ for an executive to understand a new program or concept, making ‘complex things simple’ is a key attribute of an effective thought-leader.

When you are transitioning into a thought leadership, the expectation from you is to be able to: - Have a clear answer to problem - Lay down a step by step approach to resolve it It’s important for you to: - Listen to problems patiently and empathetically - ask the right questions as that brings out a lot of solutions - take a step by step approach to break the problem into smaller tasks and provide the answers

Communicating clearly, simply put you can never over communicate and it is key to validate that communication so that the clear and concise messages are delivered to the desired outcome.

Créate a core team and implement insights one by one. This way your thoughts will not just be theory or views but also a valid proof that it works

Here are a few insights from my journey in thought leadership: 1. Passion: Delve into your values and beliefs, reflecting on what you've admired about your heroes, often your parents or guardians. 2. Grit: Embrace your uniqueness. Despite naysayers, cultivate the resilience to persevere on your path. 3. Consistency: Initially, you may face resistance, but eventually, followers will emerge. Stay consistent in your efforts, even amidst rejection, as true thought leadership takes time to develop.

Here's what I would do: Networking: Reach out to professionals in the industry, attend industry events, and join relevant online communities to expand your network and gain insights. Skill Development: Identify any skills or knowledge gaps and take proactive steps to acquire them through training, courses, or certifications. Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor or coach who has experience in the new industry and can provide guidance and support as you navigate the transition. Adaptability: Be open-minded and adaptable to new ways of working, processes, and culture within the industry. Stay Positive: Stay positive and maintain a growth mindset, recognizing that every challenge is an opportunity for learning and growth.

Thought leadership isn't about the leader it is simply about the team and creating the freedom with no barriers for them bounce of each other and allow the ability for them to thrive through just do.

One really powerful way to establish a thought leader position is to develop an "Advocacy Agenda" for your market community: What do you see as the most important priorities and imperatives for your customers, your partners, your peers to address? If you were asked for advice on what they should pay attention to most, and what they should try to change in the near future, what would your answer be? That's an Advocacy Agenda. It sets you apart from mere trend analysts and futurists, and demonstrates that you have a shared interest and a stake in your customer community. That helps you build both credibility, and authenticity.