Clients are doubting your thought leadership approach. How can you regain their trust?

The most difficult part of listening is to listen without assumption, but to listen with empathy, meaning we are genuinely interested in what they will say and pay attention to their actions. Listening is not only capturing what our client says, but also thinking about what they said to understand, visualizing their message, and asking questions to understand more about their needs,and objectives. While listening, we do not listen to defend ourselves by reasoning or justifying our actions, but we listen with empathy to see their concerns from their perspective. To make our client understand our approach, we need to help them see the approach from our perspective so they can see our commitment to thought leadership and regain their trust."

To regain clients' trust in your thought leadership approach, emphasize that: Listening is Crucial: Highlight that effective leadership begins with actively listening to clients' needs and concerns. Experience Matters: Point out that your insights are grounded in tested and lived experiences, not just theory. Data-Driven Decisions: Stress the importance of using data to guide decisions, ensuring objectivity and minimizing bias. By combining these elements, you can demonstrate a balanced approach that respects clients' input, leverages real-world experience, and utilizes data for informed decision-making

Regaining their trust involves demonstrating value and transparency. I once worked with a client whose innovative strategy faced skepticism. To address this, we first conducted a thorough review of their approach, identifying key areas that needed clarification. We then organized a series of workshops where clients could see the strategy in action and engage in open discussions. This transparency not only addressed their concerns but also showcased the approach's tangible benefits. My client successfully restored trust and strengthened client relationships, leading to a 40% increase in client satisfaction and a significant uptick in project renewals.

When clients start doubting your thought leadership, consistent engagement is your go-to strategy. Make it a habit to communicate regularly and share insights that directly address their concerns and interests. Thought leadership is a conversation, not a monologue. By maintaining this dialogue, you show clients that you’re attuned to their needs and ready to provide relevant, valuable advice. This ongoing interaction helps tailor your insights to their specific challenges, reinforcing your relevance and trustworthiness. -Show your own faith in your process Keep the lines of communication open and let your consistent, thoughtful engagement speak for itself, slowly rebuilding and strengthening their trust in your expertise.

You could also get external expertise to present to your client which will back up your thinking and give your clients a wider view of an industry or trend, that if you do it right will back up your thought leadership

No one in the real world wants "thought leadership." They want solutions. You demonstrate value by listening carefully to the context and sub-context of your stakeholders' communication and providing practical solutions. If your thinking doesn't speak for itself, no tricks will work in the long run.

To win back trust, you need to show the real-world impact of your thought leadership. Don’t just talk theory—provide concrete evidence. Share data and compelling case studies and specific examples where your insights have driven success. Highlight scenarios that showcase tangible benefits and outcomes from your guidance. When clients see clear, positive results, their confidence in your approach will naturally return. It’s all about demonstrating that your thought leadership isn’t just ideas but actionable advice that delivers. Show them the success stories, and their faith in your expertise will be restored.

Each piece of thought leadership content increases at least 1 of the following: 1. Likability 2. Authority 3. Trust Content that establishes authority ("How I" content) is super important, but it's trust-building content that showcases your tangible value to the reader. This is why you should keep a work journal where you keep track of every win you get for a client. These success stories make for great thought leadership content.

Rebuilding trust in thought leadership requires more than a one-time effort; it demands long-term commitment. Demonstrate dedication to continuous evolution for providing valuable insights to clients. Your thought leadership should epitomize an ongoing journey of learning, sharing, and growth. A steadfast endeavor to showcase expertise and remain adaptable to change will solidify your position as a trusted advisor in your clients' eyes.