How can you innovate and create value with your thought leadership in times of crisis?

Sharing your story, sharing your feelings, being open, honest, vulnerable and most of all ACCESSIBLE. This goes a long way to show your team that you are there with them on the journey and the struggle. When you create the deeper connection and feeling of inclusion, belonging and community, you will inspire creative solutions together.

You can make your content relevant by: Writing about real-life examples e.g. customer case studies, conversations, problems. Things that people are worried about/excited about/struggling with, but haven't been widely reported on. Be specific. A blog on how analytics technology is helping small accounting firms provide higher margin advisory services is better than an article on the future of data analytics tech for business. A two-point checklist for good thought leadership: 1) "So what" (i.e. why should the reader care about this?) 2) "Why now?" (i.e. why are we publishing this content now, as opposed to last year, next year? Why is it relevant? Does it relate to a bigger story in the news?)

Thought leadership can create value during a crisis is by helping to educate and inform people. In times of uncertainty, people are hungry for information and guidance. Thought leaders who can provide reliable and accurate information can help people make better decisions and feel more empowered in the face of adversity.

The more ways you challenge yourself the more ways you are able to deepen and grow your thinking. The most creative and innovative people stretch and connect their thinking. When you are creative and adapt to changes and think of new ways to deliver content you are pushing your innovations. I think stepping into new areas are always helpful in some way because you learn new ways of making something work or just as important sometimes is finding ways in which something doesn't work.

As the old saying goes 'Knowledge is Power' and we all know different things. Think carefully and empathetically about what knowledge you have that might help others come out of a difficult time stronger and then share it generously and without expectation. Early in the pandemic I used my online & social platforms to create & share a living collection of the inventive ways people all around the world were working around shortages of medical supplies everyone desperately needed to help fight the pandemic. It was something I could do, and something I had to give, even if it just helped one person. It still lives on here -- https://bradenkelley.com/2020/03/open-source-respirator-and-low-cost-ventilator-efforts-to-fight-coronavirus-covid-19/

Public speaking can be a great way (in addition to traditional web and social engagement metrics) to road test new thought leadership content to see what resonates best with the audience. Observing where people take the Q&A and interacting with the audience afterwards can be a great source of feedback that can help guide your creation of future thought leadership content for other channels. The same is true for the actionable information you include in your presentation, to make sure it is helpful and relevant for your target audience.

In times of crisis, true thought leadership shines through empathy, adaptability, and bold innovation. I have always seen challenges as opportunities in disguise. For instance, during the pandemic, I contributed to my company in the effort to pivot, by launching virtual wellness experiences, using digital platforms to connect and support our community when they needed it most. By staying close to your audience’s needs, being open to unconventional ideas, and acting swiftly, you can create real value. It is not just about leading; it is about inspiring hope, providing solutions, and being a steady, reassuring presence when everything else feels uncertain.

There is no better and faster way to gain trust in you and your leadership than telling stories, of you, your journey, mistakes, lessons and triumphs. It makes you human, relatable and, even proven through neuroscience, to build trust faster and more effectively.

“To err is human.” I think that if we share a relatable experience when we made a mistake and found a way to overcome it (and it has to be relevant to the crisis), then the audience will naturally be open to listening to the lesson at the end of that relatable experience.

During times of crisis, it can be challenging to think about innovation and creating value. The chaos and uncertainty that come with a crisis can make it feel like there is no way to move forward. However, it is precisely during these times that thought leadership can be the most valuable. As a thought leader, you can bring your unique perspective and expertise to bear on these problems. By thinking outside the box and challenging conventional wisdom, you can help create innovative solutions that not only address the immediate crisis but also create long-term value.

In times of crisis, leaders are called upon to help “make sense”of the chaos unfolding around us. True leaders deliver “what is needed most in the moment”- sometimes that may be honesty, empathy and compassion, or even a bold change in direction that may needed. But at the centre of it all is : deep listening, understanding, openness, accessibility, and clear communication. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you do need to understand the moment and “be of service”(especially to those who are suffering most).