christine e. middleton

Thought leadership is a RESULT of what you do, not what you say you do. 

I see this mistake - self-proclamation as a thought leader - far too often. What it really conveys the opposite in reader’s minds. Like a person who says their rich. (If you are, you don’t need to talk about it.)

Thought leaders don’t just package information and call it a day. They have proof of benefiting others, shaping their industry, making a difference, and use their case studies not to say how great they are, but instead to showcase how their ideas can and have shaped the world in some way.

(In other words, they don’t need to talk about themselves. Evidence and other people do that for them.)

Steve Jobs didn’t sell the features of Apple computers and handheld devices. He sold a greater vision. Through Apple’s products and way of thinking, Jobs changed the world one person (computer) at a time.

That is a thought leader. Ideas and ways of thinking that are outside the box. Innovative and often against the grain in order to stand out and make the competition need to catch up. Ideas that shape and make a difference (hopefully for the better good). 

It’s more than just packing up content and creating a lot of PR around what you’ve been doing for umpteen years…

In fact, some would argue the difference of a thought leader is by how viral their idea goes. 

I’d say it’s more than that (because not every business makes sense to be on social media), but that is a start and indication your idea resides if you are. 

Therefore, please don’t call what you do “thought leadership,” as it is a result or outcome of what you do …according to impact (and the opinion of others).