You're venturing into an unfamiliar industry as a thought leader. How can you establish trust and authority?

To conduct deep research and establish trust and authority as a thought leader in an unfamiliar industry: 1. Research thought leaders, companies, and organizations 2. Reach out to industry experts and thought leaders for interviews 3. Study market research, trends, and benchmarks 4. Co-author content or participate in podcasts and webinars

In my field of cleantech/renewable energy, there are scores of new entrants flooding in from other industries. Some great ways to research and find your feet fast are: _Identify and follow credible industry influencers _Subscribe to industry news and market reports _Attend industry webinars _Subscribe to industry podcasts _Ask questions - and create a safe space for others to do the same. It's a highly respected leadership quality. _Keep learning notes or use Otter to record & transcribe meetings so you can use this as an index to quickly refer back to what you've learnt _Attend trade shows and conferences, soak up information and build relationships with people you can learn from _Set up google alerts on key topics

As a new entrant to an industry, it is possible to establish yourself as a thought leader with sufficient ground work to build knowledge, relationships and ultimately, subject matter authority. Engaging with industry peers is a critical first step. _Start close and expand your circle from there. Set up deep dive meetings with team members to learn as much as possible about the industry, its players, products, emerging innovations, policies & regulations - everything you need to know as an industry leader _Attend industry webinars, listen to podcasts and continue to build knowledge this way _Meet with industry associations influencers as a meet and greet, to build relationships that you can tap for knowledge and advice in the future

I take a crawl, walk, run approach with my thought leadership clients. I first work with them to come up with their point of view & platform then 3-5 areas to share insights and perspectives on. From there, we start with a small commitment to sharing insights first on LinkedIn by contributing to articles like these. Once my clients are comfortable with this, we move on to sharing and engaging with other thought leader posts, then on to creating our own original articles and newsletters via LinkedIn. Once these are mastered, we explore other places to share, like being a podcast guest or creating one's own podcast.

Active listening is instrumental in fostering trust and elevating your thought leadership. Practice these techniques for effective engagement with industry professionals: Listen intently: Dedicate more time to understanding others' perspectives, and speak less. Genuine interest: Display curiosity in their opinions and experiences, reinforcing your authenticity. Value contributions: Validate others' ideas and show appreciation for their input. Reflection: Assess the information gathered, identifying key takeaways to inform your insights. Incorporate learnings: Integrate acquired knowledge into your guidance, thereby enhancing its relevance and impact.

A principled leader is a sturdy leader. Often we're asked to make a small compromise on our integrity, take this as an opportunity to reinforce your values in a kind and diplomatic manner. Get clear on what you feel is right and wrong, and stand by these values in everything you do. Always back up claims with credible data and be conscious about how your perspective might be perceived by different groups. Consider how and where you can add value, and what topics you want to steer clear of. Draw a line on when you'd like to have a voice (is it helpful and constructive?), and when it's best to stay silent (for example, criticising other companies). Establish your own personal code of conduct, and stick to it.

To establish trust and authority as a thought leader in an unfamiliar industry: 1. Acknowledge your newcomer status and eagerness to learn 2. Highlight transferable skills and relevant achievements 3. Share your journey, lessons learned, and honest opinions 4. Establish a track record of trusted authority and thought leadership

Navigating a new industry can be daunting, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to grow and innovate. From my experience, working in diverse industries has significantly broadened my understanding of communication. Each sector, with its unique set of challenges and audience, has taught me the importance of adaptability and the art of tailoring messages to meet diverse audiences. I also try to integrate the learnings and best practices from one industry to another, and that has been a cornerstone of my professional development. I believe this cross-pollination of ideas fosters innovation and a fresh perspective.

New industry, new you! To be a thought leader, show your smarts by focusing on a specific area and giving fresh ideas, not just rehashing old stuff. Leverage your past wins in other fields to build trust. Be open that you're new, but eager to learn. Share your journey and engage in industry talks to show you're there to stay. It's a marathon, not a sprint, but with valuable content and connections, you'll be a thought leader in no time!