Is thought leadership a load of BS? Separating fact from fiction.

Picture this: you're at a conference, and you hear one of your industry peers being referred to as a "thought leader."

They're being interviewed on stage, and everyone in the audience is nodding along, taking notes, and asking questions.

You start to wonder: what makes them a thought leader?

And more importantly, what are they doing that you're not?

If you're not actively pursuing a thought leadership strategy for your company, you might be leaving money on the table.

Are you willing to take that risk?

Let's face it, in today's business landscape, being perceived as an industry leader is crucial.

But did you know that companies without a clearly-defined thought leadership strategy are 50% less likely to be perceived as industry leaders by their peers and customers?

That's a lot to lose.

So, what is thought leadership, anyway and is it BS?

At its core, it's about establishing yourself as an expert in your field, someone who is actively shaping the conversation and leading the way forward.

It's not just about publishing articles or speaking at conferences (although those are important components), but about demonstrating a deep understanding of your industry, and offering insights and ideas that push the conversation forward.

But here's the thing: thought leadership isn't just about boosting your own profile.

It's about creating value for your customers and clients, and positioning yourself as someone who can help them solve their biggest challenges.

By sharing your expertise and insights, you're not just building your own brand, but demonstrating your commitment to making a meaningful impact in your industry.

The BS of TL

Unfortunately, not all thought leaders are created equal, and some may use their platform to spread misinformation or push their own agenda.

We see this in politics, from Trump to Trudeau. Or worse, Matt Hancock in the Jungle as he tries to redefine his reputation.

It's important to do your due diligence when identifying thought leaders in your industry and make sure they have a track record of providing valuable insights and ideas.

Additionally, it's important to remember that thought leadership is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Just because someone else is successful as a thought leader doesn't mean that strategy will work for you.

You need to have the tools, serious grounding in your self-identity and integrity at your core.

Don't fall into the trap of chasing after the latest trends or trying to mimic someone else's success.

Be authentic, offer value to your audience, and stay true to your own vision and mission.

And stay out of Jungle TV shows.

OK, so what does it take to become a thought leader?

“A visionary is a leader of excellence who sees what others do not see, who achieves for now and plans for the future, who positively impacts different generations and raises up other visionaries.”

―?Onyi Anyado

Shall we say, a visionary leader?

After all what we want is to open the mind to the possibilities, and encourage an open conversation from your unique point of view.

What do you see, that others don't?

It starts with a clear strategy, one that is aligned with your business goals and reflects your unique expertise and perspective. You can't just pop off thinking "I'll write some stuff and see what happens".

Some things will happen, but you won't make a serious impact.

It involves creating valuable ideas that resonate with your target audience, and your vision of the future.

You can do that through blog posts, social media updates, or speaking engagements but also through conversations, dinners and 1-2-1s.

(See my post about the three pillars of an authentic personal brand here)

It's not (just) about throwing ideas out there.

And it requires a willingness to engage with your audience, to listen to their feedback and incorporate their ideas into your own work.

At the end of the day, thought leadership is all about standing out from the crowd.

It's about offering something unique and valuable to your industry and positioning yourself as someone who can help others succeed.

So, ask yourself: are you ready to take on the challenge of becoming a thought leader?

The rewards are waiting for those who are bold enough to embrace the opportunity.

If you want to start, you can get an overview of your progress by using my free assessment tool: Personal Brand Index