Creating Your Vision as a Thought Leader

Have you ever wondered why some leaders gain traction on social media, speak at conferences and publish books on areas where you are also an expert? Have you ever asked WHY?

?

Having a vision is crucial for any leadership journey, especially as a thought leader. It acts as a guiding light, keeping you focused on what truly matters while inspiring others to follow your lead. Unfortunately, so many leaders don’t communicate that vision to their organization and then fail to spark the zeal and commitment from their communities.

Here's why I believe having a clear vision is important:

1. Direction and Purpose:

A vision provides a clear sense of direction and purpose. It helps you understand where you're going and why you're on this journey. As a thought leader, this clarity is essential because it guides your decisions and actions, ensuring they align with your broader goals. Often times I meet leaders who want more, but they just don’t know what it is that they want. Many times, they see others on stage speaking and it sparks a curiosity!? That’s something to pay attention to and move towards discovery for yourself!

2. Inspiration and Motivation:

A compelling vision inspires and motivates not only yourself but also those who follow you. When people see a leader with a clear and meaningful vision, they're more likely to rally behind that vision and contribute their energy toward achieving it.?

When a leader has a strong vision, it can wake up employees, it can make them excited about working for a company, get them there early and stay late.? Employees need a leader who is inspiring and with a clear vision!? It’s amazing to hear the stories after my clients give their motivational speeches.? They raise more money, they attract higher level of employees, they retain more staff and they have better relationships at work.? Being an inspiring leader pays off!

3. Differentiation:

Thought leadership is about standing out in a crowded field. A unique and powerful vision helps differentiate you from others. It allows you to carve out a niche, establish a distinctive voice, and create content or ideas that resonate with your audience.? Sadly, many leaders fade into the woodwork in today’s environment, and it takes a strong individual to not only have the vision but to communicate it often!

4. Consistency:

?With a clear vision, you can maintain consistency in your messaging and actions. This consistency builds trust with your audience, as they know what to expect from you. It also makes it easier to stay true to your values and principles, even in challenging times.? Having a strong vision will create a strong personal brand.? People come to rely on so clarity is key!

5. Adaptability:

A well-defined vision serves as a benchmark for making strategic decisions. While the path to achieving your vision might require adaptation and flexibility, the vision itself provides a stable framework. This adaptability is crucial in a rapidly changing world where thought leaders must remain relevant and responsive.? Having an active profile on LinkedIn is a good place to show that you are relevant and respond to current issues.

6. Legacy and Impact:

A vision allows you to create a lasting legacy. As a thought leader, you're not just leading in the present; you're shaping the future. A strong vision helps ensure that your contributions have a meaningful and enduring impact on your field or community.?

I have a friend by the name of Jeff Webb. Jeff is the Founder of the International Cheer Union, and other cheer organizations. I was a guest of Jeff’s recently at the International Cheerleading Championship in Orlando where hundreds of cheer squads performed from all over the world. The competition was fierce and it was exciting to see the US come out on top.?

?But more than that, I was blown away how one man had a vision that has created such a legacy.? His organizations have enhanced the lives of hundreds of thousands of participants for over 30 years.

7. Alignment and Collaboration:

With a clear vision, it's easier to align your team, collaborators, or partners. When everyone understands the ultimate goal, they can work together more effectively. This alignment fosters collaboration, innovation, and synergy among diverse stakeholders.

?

To sum it up, having a vision as a thought leader is vital because it provides direction, inspires others, differentiates you from the competition, ensures consistency, allows for adaptability, creates a lasting impact, and promotes alignment and collaboration. As you embark on your leadership journey, take the time to define a clear and compelling vision—it's the foundation upon which you'll build your success and influence.

If you are interested in becoming one of those leaders who can engage and excite an audience, please consider coming to the Inspirational Speakers Academy’s StoryCraft Summit June 7-9.? This is a transformational event to help you become a strong thought leader and communicator/speaker!

Here is the video and CONTACT INFO to set up a meeting.

About Mary Gardner

A nationally recognized speaker and public speaking coach, Mary Gardner rose to prominence in the industry as an agent at Keppler Speakers. She then founded The Coaches Certification Institute in Princeton, New Jersey, the first business and life coaching and training school on the east coast. An avid communicator with a passion for helping others find their charismatic voice, Gardner has worked to raise the profile of many executives, celebrities, professional athletes and influencers, and transition them to new, lucrative careers in the motivational speaking circuit. In her role as the President of the Inspirational Speakers Academy, she has created a workshop series that fast tracks former professional football players into an exciting new career as professional motivational speakers.

Mary draws on her experience as a television and radio host, where she appeared on Nightline, The Today Show, CNN, ABC 20/20, CBS, Fox, and MSNBC. She has addressed corporate and college audiences across the country, and her client list includes Goldman Sachs, Mercedes Benz, Computer Associates and numerous Wall Street financial institutions. She also has experience as a professional spokesperson. In a coaching capacity, Gardner has worked with astronaut Mark Kelly, professional athletes Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, Peggy Fleming, Bernard King, Mike Hayes and Randy Grimes as well as TV anchors, CEOs, and executives who are respected experts in their fields.