A thought leader is a notable expert that influences people positively.
There is a perception that thought leadership has become a buzzword in today’s world. However, thought leadership, when properly executed, has the power to reshape your image, as well as that of your company.
In a world where everyone’s trying to stand out, it takes more than just ideas to become a thought leader - it requires planning and commitment. Here are 7 strategies to guide you on your journey:
- Know your Strengths
- Develop your Unique Tone of Voice
- Discover Mediums and Communication Types that Work For You
- Connect with Industry Peers
- Share your Opinions
- Engage with Others
- Show up Consistently
Know your Strengths
To begin your thought leadership journey, you first need to know yourself, your inherent strengths and positive traits. This includes your professional expertise, as well as what you bring to the table.
For example, you might have expertise in HR but what makes you unique is your empathy in dealing with people.
Want to know more about your hidden strengths? Try the RYZ Assessment to discover what makes you, you!
Develop your Unique Tone of Voice
It’s important to share from a place of authenticity. Ask yourself, what is your unique style of communication? Is it humorous, serious, or poetic?
You don't need to be a brilliant writer, but you do need to be able to convey your personality through your words. This is what sets you apart from the competition in your field.
Discover and develop your unique tone of voice based on how you would want to be heard, and who you want listening.
Discover Mediums and Communication Types that Work For You
In the social media age, mediums and channels for communication are abundant. Choose the ones that fit you the best by asking yourself the following questions:
- Where is your audience?
- What platforms are other industry leaders active on?
- What content format (i.e. Audio, video, writing etc.) are you most comfortable with?
- What formats work best for your key messages?
Connect with Industry Peers
Take inspiration from people who already wield influence in your industry or have particular expertise in the areas you are targeting. Reach out and communicate with your peers, and learn and grow from their experiences.
Share your Opinions
Apart from your chosen themes and key messages, it is important to share your opinions on trending news and articles on the medium of your choice. It is important to be someone who is up to do date with trends and can stay relevant.
Engage with Others
In any kind of interaction, engagement is key. It is commonly believed that thought-leadership is about sharing your thoughts, but that’s just one part of it. The secret is not in building content, but building a community.
It is impossible for anyone, including thought leaders to have all the answers, and that is why learning new things is key.
Show up Consistently
Last, but far from the least - be consistent! Showing up consistently helps build trust and credibility. Thought-leadership is a journey so you can’t just give it a shot and drop it when it isn’t showing results. You need to push consistently, reassess, and persevere.
Although the phrase "thought leader" is bandied about a lot, establishing and executing a genuine thought leadership strategy has real advantages. Creating and disseminating strong thought leadership material takes a long time, but it pays off in spades. If you follow these steps, you'll soon discover that thought leadership is both gratifying to you as a person and to your organization.
