Thought Leadership: The Intersectionality of Passion and Influence

I'm often asked how I've cultivated the level of executive presence and thought leadership that people seem to notice. People want to know if there’s a magic formula, a secret sauce that sets some apart from others. A big part of it, I'll admit, feels like it's just in my bones. I've always had a knack for taking charge of subjects that I'm passionate about and making other people passionate about them too! While I’d love to leave it at that, the reality is much more empowering: It’s a learned skill, one that you can master with the right mindset and strategy.

This year, my focus is all about being an intentional leader. And being an intentional thought leader starts with more than just finding your niche. It begins with a deep introspection that asks not just what you’re good at, but what drives you at your core. Your niche isn’t just where expertise meets passion. It’s where your lived experiences, your unique perspective, and your deepest convictions converge. When you tap into this, you’re not just speaking from a place of knowledge—you’re speaking from a place of truth, and that authenticity is what sets true thought leaders apart.

True thought leaders aren’t afraid to take a stand, to provoke thought, to stir the pot if it means leading people toward meaningful change.

But understanding your niche is just the start. The real challenge—and opportunity—lies in finding and connecting with your audience. And this isn’t about numbers. It’s about depth. Thought leadership isn’t about being heard by the masses. It’s about unapologetically resonating deeply with the few who matter most to you. These are the people who will not only listen to you but will amplify your message because it speaks directly to them. To find this audience, you must be intentional about where you show up. It’s about curating your spaces—be it online communities, your sorority meetings, or even corporate roundtable discussions—where your voice doesn’t just add to the conversation, it elevates it. That’s why, in spite of white guys telling me over and over again that my message resonates well with everyone, not just Black women, I still keep this newsletter focused on you. Because when I was coming up through the ranks, there was no one talking directly to me.

Once you’ve found your audience, the work doesn’t stop. In fact, this is where real thought leadership begins. It’s about what you do with the platform you’ve built. Are you merely sharing ideas, or are you challenging the status quo (i.e. my well-meaning white male readers)? Are you providing content that’s easily digestible, or are you pushing your audience to think critically, to question their assumptions, to grow? True thought leaders aren’t afraid to take a stand, to provoke thought, to stir the pot if it means leading people toward meaningful change.

And here’s where the depth really comes in: It’s not just about knowledge. It’s also about wisdom.?

Wisdom is knowledge applied, knowledge tested through experience, knowledge that’s been refined by both success and failure. As a thought leader, it’s your job to distill this wisdom into actionable insights. I like to call them small bites of fabulosity.

I’ve never been afraid to share with you the lessons I’ve learned from the trenches, the hard-fought battles, and the unexpected victories. I want you to do the same with your audience. Give them something they can’t just Google—give them your hard-earned truths.

One of the most significant aspects of thought leadership is being able to see around corners, to anticipate what’s coming before others do. This requires staying informed; yes, but more importantly, it requires a keen sense of observation and an ability to connect the dots in ways others might not see. It’s about being a visionary, but also a realist—someone who can dream big but also understands the practical steps needed to get there.

Thought leadership isn’t just about being in the spotlight. It’s about owning the stage.

So, what’s the major takeaway here? Thought leadership isn’t just about being in the spotlight. It’s about owning the stage. It’s about ensuring that every time you speak, you’re not just heard—you’re felt. Your words should echo long after you’ve left the room, inspiring action, sparking new ideas, and challenging people to think differently. This isn’t something that happens overnight. But with intention (Oops! There’s that word again!), consistency, and a commitment to continuous learning and growth, you can cultivate the kind of thought leadership that leaves a legacy.

Your mission (should you decide to accept it) isn’t just about sharing information. It’s being passionate about driving change, influencing decisions. That’s where you’ll find your inner power. Once you do, it will seep through so that everyone you engage with is empowered too. That’s when you’ll know you're doing the whole thought leadership thang right!

Remember, always be intentional!

Level Up with Grace is an award-winning newsletter created and designed for African-American women in corporate America (and others) who want to unapologetically create and maintain a stellar career. Executive coach Cheryl Grace shares a curated collection of insights, strategies, and tactics on change management, conflict resolution, and professional development to help women excel and advance to their next level, regardless of where they are in their career journey. Please subscribe and share!

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Shutterstock Stock Images often illustrated by the fabulously talented Natalia Hubbert .