6 Root Essentials to Build Thought Leadership
Bobby Umar
I land you a TEDx Talk Guaranteed | Keynote Speaker, Trainer & Coach | Expert in Thought Leadership, Personal Branding, Storytelling, Digital Presence | LinkedIn Top Voice | 5x TEDx & Inc Magazine Top 100 Speaker |??Gaga
Are you JUST getting started?
Join the club. Many of us started at Zero followers or connections. Some of us haven't truly realized that we already have a personal brand and it was built since birth.
I often talk about the 5 key ways to build thought leadership, which include:
Of these, I always say a TEDx talks is the BEST thought leadership brand builder. Why?
Because a TEDx talks requires a lower amount of time investment -- appx 30-50 hours on average to land one -- for the greatest amplification of awareness and reach when the video comes out.
In fact, I recently shared a newsletter called "Can anyone do a TEDx talk" . I mentioned that 10 year olds have done TEDx talks. The key is that you need an idea, a story, and that tantalizing title that gets organizers to want you and the audience to invest. It's not based on any success, achievement or length of experience.
But TODAY, I want to talk about VERY basic structures. The first things we all do, from childhood on, to start creating a brand for ourselves.
6 Root Essentials to Build Thought Leadership
Embarking on a journey to establish yourself as a thought leader requires more than just expertise; it demands a strategic approach to cultivating your brand. Here are six foundational essentials to guide you in the very beginning:
1?? Speaking
Whether it’s delivering a TEDx talk, participating in panels, or hosting webinars, speaking is a powerful way to share your insights and establish your voice in the industry. Start by seeking out local speaking opportunities or online platforms where you can share your expertise. I've been speaking out loud since I was a child and now I'm grateful that I get to do it for a living.
2?? Relationship Building:
Networking isn’t just about collecting contacts; it's about cultivating meaningful relationships that can lead to mutual growth. Attend industry conferences, join professional groups, and engage actively on platforms like LinkedIn to connect with peers and mentors who can support your journey. I've always been a connector. Some of us need to work on it, but people matter in our journeys no matter what.
3?? Writing:
Consistently sharing your knowledge through articles, blogs, or even a book helps solidify your reputation as an expert. Start a blog, contribute to industry publications, or share insightful posts on social media. Each piece of content should provide value, reflecting your unique perspective and expertise. While I personally don't like to write as much, I have been honing it to a point that I feel comfortable if I have to... like this newsletter.
4?? Learning & Evolving:
Thought leadership is not static. Stay ahead of the curve by continuously updating your knowledge base and adapting to new trends and technologies. Attend workshops, subscribe to relevant publications, and don’t shy away from new experiences that can enhance your understanding and skills. You have learn, grow and evolve in order to stay relevant. When social media became popular, I had to upgrade my networking knowledge to include digital networking.
5?? Mindset:
Perhaps the most crucial element is cultivating a growth mindset. Embrace challenges, seek feedback, and view failures as opportunities to learn and improve. A positive, proactive mindset will keep you resilient and persistent, qualities essential for long-term success. I realized how important mindset was when I started coaching and getting coached myself. It comes up far more than we realize.
6?? Do the Work:
Real results come from consistent effort. Implement the strategies you learn, dedicate time to refine your skills, and remain committed to your goals. It’s the daily grind—the emails you send, the content you create, and the conversations you engage in—that cumulatively build your reputation as a thought leader. So many of us have excuses, and often it's because we didn't hunker down and get to work. When I personally tried to get more fit and lose weight, I had to do the exercises, eat right and show up at the gym.
Integrate These Essentials into Your Strategy
Incorporating these elements into your daily professional life can dramatically enhance your visibility and influence as a thought leader. As you grow in these areas, you’ll find your confidence increasing, along with your ability to impact your field significantly.
The BEST part? The TEDx journey incorporate ALL of these basic elements for growth.
If you want to elevate your brand, relationships, writing, speaking, mindset, learning and more, I invite you to get to work and join my event that started today. And no it is NOT too late to join or leverage the content or replays. ????
Unlock the Secret Blueprint to Land Your First TEDx Talk - Oct 14-18, 11:30am-12:30pm ET daily.
???????? We started this TODAY! You get 5 hours of content with me, a small group of like minded professionals who want a TEDx talk in 2025, replays for all calls, a community group for 24/7 support, feedback and questions. You get all of this is for only $100 - as we want only folks with some skin in the game who will "Do The Work".
?? Learn more HERE - ?? We encourage you to watch at least one of the video testimonials
AGENDA
Day 1: Is a TEDx Right For You - Why TEDx, the Mindset, and the overall process
Day 2: Set a Vision for Getting There - your Why statement, targeting and a 5-step process
Day 3: Finding The Right Story And Converting It Into An Idea
Day 4: Building Your Brand Story Around Your Expertise - using content strategies to take people on a journey with you
Day 5: Q&A session and Next Steps
VIP BONUS!! A VIP PASS upgrade is available for $300
???????? Register HERE .
Wherever you are and whatever you are trying to do, start with the basics. Then learn to build and grow from there. If you enjoyed this content, please do share with others.
QUESTION: What basic element of Thought Leadership is your super power and which one do you need to work on?
It's okay to share, because we all have one of each.
Thanks and take care,
Bobby
5x TEDx Speaker (3x TEDx invite decliner)
LinkedIn Top Voice
Inc Magazine Top Leadership Speaker
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BONUS: All My TEDx Resources
4x Founder | Generalist | Goal - Inspire 1M everyday people to start their biz | Always building… having the most fun.
1 个月Thought leadership starts at birth? Love that take.
Top 3% B2B Marketing Strategy Voice l Driving growth through integrated Branding, Marketing & Sales Strategies | Delivering results with campaigns that convert & retain customers | Digital Marketing & Growth Strategy
1 个月Bobby, this is such an inspiring reminder that everyone starts somewhere, and personal branding is a lifelong journey! TEDx talks truly do offer incredible amplification for thought leadership. Your breakdown of strategies is practical and motivating, especially for those just starting out. Thanks for sharing!
It's not too late to join the 5-day TEDx challenge and start working on those essential skills for thought leadership building. Get the replays, the resources, and get access to it all via our community group. https://www.networkanytime.com/unlocktedxblueprint
Your personal brand started the moment you were born. If you were cantankerous baby, well that's your brand (back then!). But some great insights here into the basics.
Thought leadership is something where we often think about those BIG things like TEDx talks, content strategy, running events. But when you drill down into the initial baby steps of skills, it really shows where we can spend our time learning.