The game has changed — are you playing? (Hint: you'd better be)

Thought leadership has changed. It’s still changing. It’s no longer for the select few. There are new rules now… which means space for new players.?

You’re one of them.?

(Oh, you didn’t realize that?)

That’s because the way you’ve been programmed to perceive thought leadership, the way it’s been modeled to you, and the beliefs you have of who “qualifies” to be a thought leader – are simply out of date.?

This is the second article in a series What Got You Here Won't Get You There. To read the first article, click here.

It makes sense when you think about how most of us grew up and started our careers: in a hierarchical pyramid structure. There was someone at the top who was the leader. They had the voice, access to the microphone, and the audience. (Which typically meant they had all the power, too.)

And those “lower down” in the hierarchy would wait to be chosen to rise up in their careers based predominantly on their skills. Only then would they deem it an appropriate position to share their own ideas and make more autonomous decisions.

Traditionally, a thought leader was seen as a rare breed who required an audience of hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions to make a meaningful mark on the world.?

Because there were so few thought leaders, a message didn't require much nuance. There weren't a bunch of “mainstream” alternative points of view to choose from, which meant it was much easier for people en masse to go along with what was being said.

Pre internet and social media, thought leaders were limited in their choices for places to be heard. In person events, radio, and television were the main communication options, and those were not easy to organize or access.?

The world, company structures and cultures, and the idea of what makes a great leader have significantly changed since then, but attitudes about thought leadership are still catching up.

In modern day business, everybody has the potential to be a thought leader. But so many don't identify as one because of “the way it's always been”.?

They don't see themselves as capable — or even worthy — of stepping into such a role, even if others around them already consider them one. (This is particularly true for women and is an all-too-common result of imposter syndrome.)

It can be hard to let go of outdated ideas when a new path hasn’t clearly revealed itself yet. (That’s when people work with me.)?

The concept of thought leadership isn’t new, but the kind of person who must step into thought leadership now is new.?

And it’s not optional anymore.?

The truth is, as someone with bright ideas and an ambition to keep advancing in your corporate career or entrepreneurial venture, there’s a new expectation that’s been placed upon you (alongside many others I know you already carry).?

That expectation is that you already are a thought leader. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like one or identify as one (yet) – the expectation for someone with any level of leadership responsibility is that thought-leadership becomes an essential part of their growth and development.?

Your ability to articulate ideas in a way that makes people listen is a prerequisite to truly authentic thought leadership. It seems obvious, but that’s not the way it’s always been. Many of my clients only start learning how to articulate their own ideas once they’re in a high position of leadership.?

And therein lies your opportunity. When you get crystal clear on your unique points of view, the most effective ways to communicate them, and know how to make sure the right people pay attention, you will rise and reach your goals so much faster.?

And you’ll spark real change in the way other people think and behave, create impact-rippling movements, and ultimately make the world a better, stronger, healthier, kinder, <insert whatever adjective is appropriate for you> place.

In the era of new thought leadership, we rise up because of the thought leadership we have shown.?

New thought leadership allows for new ways of spreading ideas, approaching dilemmas, and solving problems. It can be distilled down into three principles to help you get on the thought leadership horse in a way that feels natural. (And, as always, it is much less about “getting on the horse” than it is about opening your mouth and articulating the unique value that you carry with you inside your own head, day in and day out.)

1. Everyone has a voice. Make yours worth listening to. Thought leadership is no longer for the few. The sooner you take advantage of that opportunity, the better.
2. Your spark is in the nuance. Given that more people have voices, it means it can be more difficult to be heard. Your message must not only be laser sharp to cut through the noise, it must be shaped to communicate nuance in easy-to-understand ways. This is an opportunity to shine, become known for a unique point of view, and get buy-in from those who can make the difference.?
3. Choose your platform(s). With the development of technology,? there are now hundreds of at-your-fingertips ways to get your message out into the world. Choose one. Use it relentlessly. It is this connection that will change the world.?

I have plenty more detailed insider strategies to cultivate your own personal brand of thought leadership, but will leave you with this for now.

Here for your impact,

Jessika

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To celebrate my new brand launching later this summer, this is the second in a series called What Got You Here Won’t Get You There. The first one is here.

If you want to be part of the era of new thought leaders — people who spark change by communicating their ideas in never-heard-before ways — make sure you keep reading here and subscribe to our email newsletter for special invitations and offers throughout the summer and fall.