Building Thought Leadership at Work

When it comes to creating thought leadership content, tapping into the expertise of internal subject matter experts (SMEs) is crucial. But, as many of you know, getting participation and extracting ideas from these brilliant people can sometimes feel akin to pulling teeth. Here are some of the ways I've worked with SMEs to get more insights and participation out of them: ☑ Establish clear objectives: Clearly communicate the objectives and goals of the thought leadership content. When SMEs understand the purpose and desired outcomes, they are more likely to engage actively and contribute relevant ideas. ☑Offer flexibility in how SMEs contribute their ideas: Different individuals may have varying preferences for idea generation. Some may thrive in open-ended discussions, while others may prefer specific prompts or questions to spark their creativity. Some prefer a quick call and others prefer email -- let them choose what works best for them if possible. ☑Foster collaboration between SMEs from different departments or areas of expertise. Cross-functional discussions can lead to unique perspectives and innovative ideas that might not arise otherwise. ☑Provide external inspiration: Share relevant industry news, trends, or thought-provoking articles with SMEs to stimulate their thinking and inspire new ideas. ☑ Encourage risk taking: Ask them if there are any myths in their industry they can bust or what advice they might give that goes against the grain and why? Where does their thinking differ from others and get them to open up about it and why. ☑Offer support and recognition: Acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of SMEs throughout the ideation process can motivate SMEs to actively participate in thought leadership initiatives. What other approaches have you found effective in engaging SMEs for thought leadership content? #ThoughtLeadership #Collaboration #IndustryInsights #TeamEngagement

Most people who call themselves “thought leaders” aren’t.   In most cases, they’re content creators. They share ideas, comment on current issues, maybe even add a clever perspective.   That’s valuable but it’s not thought leadership.   True thought leadership begins where content creation ends. And this doesn’t mean that content creators become thought leaders.   Thought leadership isn’t built in an instant. It requires knowledge, experience, and hard work. It’s the shift from knowing to wisdom.   Above all, it requires a big idea. Not just an opinion or reaction, but an ownable point of view that challenges assumptions and offers a new way forward.   True thought leadership means: ✔️ Owning a big idea that others can rally around and that sets you apart. ✔️ Doing the hard work of refining, proving, and living it. ✔️ Shaping opinions and offering an alternate path.   So, how can one become a thought leader? 1️⃣ Own a big idea – Without one, you’ll always be reacting, never leading. 2️⃣ Develop foresight – Spot the weak signals before they become trends. 3️⃣ Build conviction & authority – Research your point of view and develop meaningful, valuable insights. 4️⃣ Shape narratives – Don’t just join conversations. Start them. 5️⃣ Play the long game – Thought leadership is the product of years of effort, not a couple viral posts.   True thought leaders don’t ride waves. They create them. And that’s what makes them have a lasting impact.    

Had the opportunity this week to join Caryn Herder Fritz and Claire Mason for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the power of thought leadership for reaching and engaging senior executives. The session (hosted by Man Bites Dog) was chock full of great takeaways. These three tips for high-impact thought leadership seemed too good not to share: 1. 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝. Design your research to offer unique insights for each of your target audiences, geographies, and segments. If you serve the U.S., UK, and Germany, cultivate a statistically relevant sample of survey respondents from each country. If you target Finance and Supply Chain leaders, ensure both are represented in your survey pool. Serve enterprise and mid-market companies or multiple industries? Same thing. Building a respondent pool that reflects your target audience may take a bit more effort, but the payoff is worth it. Your research findings will be more valuable, prescriptive, and actionable. And you will be able to develop derivative works that give your thought leadership far more reach and impact. 2. 𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡. To avoid preconceived biases, gather a research advisory board of your target audience that can offer candid feedback and guidance on the true essence of the problems, challenges, and opportunities they are looking to address. This preliminary effort will help you structure a research approach and questionnaire that is more insightful and aligned with the needs of your audience. 3. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐲. Don't just deliver a report. Create a franchise of value. Like Disney does with its animation classics, design your research to have multiple derivative works, with offshoots by geography, industry, or segment. Make it accessible in multiple formats -- e.g., report, infographics, social graphics, video, webinars, roundtables, and conferences. Use each audience interaction on your thought leadership to capture new insights and foster new dialogues and derivatives. A thought leadership franchise.

A lot of people still think thought leadership is about showing up, sharing smart ideas, and posting consistently. That worked when Gary Vee was breaking out. But we’re in a different world now—especially if you're B2B. Today, if you're building a business around your expertise, visibility alone won't cut it. Here’s the part no one talks about: Ideas spark attention. But structure creates belief. Without structure, you stay trapped in the loop: 🔁 Constantly re-explaining your brilliance on every call. 📉 Watching potential clients hesitate because they can't "see" how you get results. 🌀 Creating content that's smart, but scattered—and easy to forget. This isn't a content problem. It's not even a positioning problem. It’s a foundation problem. High-converting thought leaders don’t just show up with ideas. They show up with a framework. A point of view. A clear pathway for how change happens—and how their audience fits into it. That’s what creates clarity. That’s what builds momentum. That’s what converts. If you're serious about building real authority, you can't leave your value up to interpretation. Make it obvious. Make it tangible. Make it unforgettable. Frameworks aren’t fluff. They're a form of leadership. And real leaders don't just inspire movements. They build them.

After ghostwriting for 30+ executives over the last three years, here’s what I’ve learned: The best thought leadership isn't forced or created out of thin air — it's already showing up in your day-to-day work. The key is capturing it. Instead of forcing insights: → Keep an "idea capture" notepad handy → Document what's actually happening "in the room" and on the ground → "In the room" means sales calls, client catchups, team meetings → Share real tactics + get in the weeds → Talk about what you're focused on this quarter → Discuss industry trends when it's authentic — don’t manufacture hot takes → Never sacrifice your linguistic footprint — your unique idioms, word choices, and lines of thought. This is what got you where you are and what people respond to. → Be transparent about your journey True thought leadership is authentic expertise made visible. The key is capturing it.

Oftentimes, storytelling is treated as a soft skill, a nice-to-have, or something you’ll get around to once you're asked to keynote a conference. However, storytelling should be a top strategy for any executive looking to get ahead in today's job market, where attention is fractured and leadership credibility is hard-won. In my interview with TEDx coach and thought leadership expert Cathey Armillas, she shared two frameworks anyone can use to become a stronger storyteller, starting today. 1. Start with 3 Critical Questions to Define Your Voice These reflection prompts are the backbone of your positioning. Before you share content or even show up on stage, Cathey recommends asking: ✔ What idea am I contributing to the world? Not “what topic do I speak on”—but what’s your specific angle within that topic? Narrow it down. ✔ Why am I the right person to share this idea? What lived experiences, challenges, or insights shaped how you see this issue? Your stories are your proof. ✔ How does this idea improve someone else’s life or work? If your insight isn’t useful, it won’t stick. Show how it adds value. ACTION: Write down your answers in one sentence each. Then test them. Share your idea with a trusted peer or post a short reflection on LinkedIn. Do people engage? Ask for more? That’s how you know it’s working. 2. Use the “Five Great Things” Exercise to Find Your Stories Feeling stuck on what to say? Cathey recommends making a list of: 🔹 Five of the greatest things you've done in your life or career. They don’t have to be titles or promotions. Sometimes you made something happen, led under pressure, or changed someone’s trajectory. Then ask yourself: – What did I learn? – What qualities did I rely on? – What system, belief, or leadership habit did I apply? – Would I do anything differently now? These stories become building blocks for your thought leadership, interview preparation, and presentations. ACTION: Block 30 minutes this week to write your list. Then build out just one of the stories in paragraph form. Tuck it into your story file. Use it to shape your next speaking point or LinkedIn post. The Bottom Line: Thought leadership isn't about being known. It's about being known for something. Storytelling makes your ideas portable. It builds memory, trust, and clarity. If you want to be recognized as a leader worth following or hiring, you must learn to tell the story only you can tell. Are you telling a story people will remember? To read the article, click the top right of the image and download the PDF. #LIPostingDayApril #thoughtleader #CareerVelocity TEDxPortland = this weekend in PDX

What makes a thought leader? It’s more than just having an opinion. In a world where opinions are abundant, true thought leadership stands apart. It is not just about being vocal in a particular field but about actively contributing to the evolution of ideas, shifting perspectives, and driving meaningful conversations that create lasting impact. A key question every aspiring thought leader should ask is: If you disappeared from your industry today, what gap would be left behind? This shifts the focus from simply performing a job to making a unique contribution that truly matters. Thought leadership is not about repeating what has already been said- it's about offering fresh insights, challenging the status quo, and solving problems in ways that others haven’t considered. Establishing credibility takes intention and consistency. It is not about constant posting on social media but about making meaningful contributions that resonate. Thought leadership is also about engagement: joining conversations, exchanging ideas, and fostering dialogue rather than just broadcasting opinions. Balancing visibility and sustainability is another challenge. Many professionals fear that becoming a thought leader will consume too much of their time. The key is to be strategic by choosing the right platforms, being selective about speaking opportunities, and focusing on depth rather than volume. True influence is built over time, through authentic, well-considered contributions rather than a flurry of activity. In the latest edition of my Storytelling and Leadership, I explore what it really takes to position yourself as a thought leader, how to stand out without feeling overwhelmed, and why engagement and continuous learning are critical to long-term influence. Read the full edition at the link below. #ThoughtLeadership #Storytelling #Leadership #PersonalBranding #Visibility #Influence #StrategicCommunication #PublicSpeaking #Authenticity #ReputationManagement #ProfessionalGrowth #ExecutiveCoaching

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A THOUGHT LEADER 🎡 This question was posed by one of my students, and he saw that as a path for himself to be a subject matter expert and carve a niche for himself. He genuinely wanted to develop into one, with all the bells and whistles. In today's dynamic and competitive professional landscape, establishing yourself as a thought leader is a powerful way to not only stay relevant but also to drive innovation and influence others in your industry. Being a thought leader goes beyond expertise; it's about actively shaping and contributing to the conversations that define your field. I am sharing here what I shared with him, and hope some of you find this helpful to making a lasting impact: 🎯 Master Your Niche: Deepen your understanding of your industry, stay updated on the latest trends, and cultivate expertise in specific areas. 🔰 Share Your Insights: Platforms like LinkedIn offer an excellent space to showcase your expertise and engage with a broader audience. Regularly contribute valuable content that addresses industry challenges, shares best practices, and offers solutions. 🎤 Cultivate a Unique Voice: Your perspective and personality should shine through in your content. Share your experiences, opinions, and lessons learned – this personal touch creates a connection with your audience. ✨ Build a Strong Personal Brand: Craft a personal brand that reflects your expertise and values. Consistency in branding builds trust and recognition. ➰ Engage in Thoughtful Conversations: Being a thought leader is not a one-way street. Actively engage in conversations within your industry. Networking is a key aspect of thought leadership. 🎙 Speak at Industry Events: Whether it's a local meetup or a global conference, sharing your knowledge in person establishes credibility and expands your influence. 💻 Offer Value Through Webinars and Workshops: This interactive format allows you to connect with your audience directly, answer questions, and offer practical advice. 👩🏫 Seek Opportunities for Mentorship: Mentorship positions you as a guide and source of inspiration for emerging professionals. 📚 Stay Adaptable and Open to Learning: Embrace new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. Share your journey of growth with your audience, demonstrating that you're on the forefront of industry developments. 🏌️♀️ Elevate Your Influence with Coaching: Consider seeking guidance from a career coach specializing in thought leadership. Coaching provides personalized strategies, insights, and a roadmap tailored to your unique goals. Becoming a thought leader is a journey of continuous growth and contribution. Ready to embark on you journey as a thought leader? 🌟 Take the first step! 📱www.sonniasingh.com #sonniasingh #sonniasinghleadershipcoach #thoughtleaders #thoughtprovoking #ThoughtLeadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerCoaching

I'm working with four C-suite leaders to build their thought leadership online. Each was having trouble knowing what to say, how to say it, how to format it, and where to put that content. Each was a master at their craft, with a lot to share, but just stuck when it came to actually sharing it. (Proving that thought leadership doesn’t just “happen" and that even the most brilliant leaders and thinkers need a strategy for getting those leading thoughts out there in the wild.) Let me start with my really simple definition of a thought leader: A thought leader is a person who really knows his/her stuff who thinks out loud in public. They are prolilfic - they share a lot. They have strong opinions and unique points of view. (So yeah it's hard to be a thought leader unless you have those things: expertise and opinions and the chutpzah to share). Thought leaders share: 🔸 What they know and how they do things (expertise) 🔸 How they know it (perspective) 🔸 What’s coming next (vision) Here's how you should approach your content if you want to be a thought leader: 1. Document your top customer questions. Then document your areas of expertise and passion. Find what's common between them and those are your topics. (You only need 3-4 of them). 2. Find a way to capture your knowledge. You can answer customer questions interview style with someone and record it (if you are the talking type). You can write their loose thoughts (if you are the typing type). Understand that it takes time to get thoughts out of their brain but at this stage it doesn't to be pretty, eloquent, or even particularly organized. 3. Enlist some help organizing, clarifying, and creating the content (because you're busy, you don't love to write, and so on). 4. Decide where to distribute the content: website (blog), social, a newsletter. 5. Publish weekly on each channel. Easy? Well, maybe not, but it IS straightforward and totally do-able. You're just not doing it. 😂 And don't forget that you need a really good profile - professional photo, banner that says something and has a CTA, strong about section. Because everything you do online will send traffic back there.

As HR or Talent Acquisition Professionals and leaders, you may have a lot of knowledge and expertise in your domain.  There are people seeking what you have to say! So how do you become a thought leader on LinkedIn? Here are 7 best practices to help you achieve that: 1️⃣ ✅ Consistent Content Creation: Create and share content that reflects your HR/Talent Acquisition expertise regularly. This could be articles, posts, or comments on relevant topics. Consistency is key. 2️⃣ ✅ Engage, Don't Just Broadcast: Thought leadership isn't a one-way street. Engage with your audience, respond to comments, and participate in discussions. Engaging is about having conversations with people.  Be active. 3️⃣ ✅ Share Your Unique Perspective: Don't echo what everyone else is saying. Share your unique insights and perspectives. Originality stands out.  If you find a great post, you can give your interpretation of their post. 4️⃣ ✅ Leverage Video & Audio Content: Videos are engaging and can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Use LinkedIn Live or post recorded videos sharing your insights.  Also, utilize LinkedIn Audio Events and share insights in a 2-way conversation. 5️⃣ ✅ Collaborate with Other Thought Leaders: Collaboration can help expand your reach. Consider co-authoring articles or hosting joint webinars.  Operate from a mindset of abundance and you will be uniquely rewarded either now or in the future. 6️⃣ ✅ Stay Current and Relevant: Stay updated with industry trends and news. Share your thoughts on these to stay relevant.  One great way is to look at LinkedIn News or your own HR & Talent Acquisition latest news.  Sharing those articles to help your community stay relevant will endear your tribe to become SuperFans. 7️⃣ ✅ Be Authentic: Authenticity resonates. Be real and genuine in your interactions. People connect with authenticity. Remember, thought leadership isn't about being known, it's about being known for making a difference. Start making a difference today and share your thoughts.  👉 To become a thought leader in the HR and Talent Acquisition domain, you have to share your thoughts 😀. What's your go-to strategy for developing thought leadership on LinkedIn? 👀 #ThoughtLeadership #HR #TalentAcquisition #Leadership #LatinoLeadership