The Incredible, Compounding Effect of (Terrible, Annoying) Deadlines
Five years ago, I left my job at a content marketing agency to work on my own. At the agency, I was already in the habit of writing a regular email newsletter to our clients. I wanted to keep using that muscle, so I committed to sending a newsletter to my own tiny list every […]
The Way I See It…
When you’re talking about your work, how do you finish the sentence “The way I see it….” ? How do you see your work? What has your unique experience taught you? From your specific vantage point, what do you see? What’s your perspective? I’m going to get real with you: Most people have a very […]
How to Be More Authentic: Stick to Your “Overlap”
A lot of people want to be known for their work and their ideas. But when they step into the role of “expert” or “thought leader,” they’re suddenly at a loss for words. That makes sense: When you’re trying to play a part, perform, or talk about an unfamiliar topic, you’re not going to feel […]
Thought Leadership Isn’t a Performance. It’s Just Thinking Out Loud.
Earlier this week, I talked to a new freelancer who has spent the past decade in corporate marketing. She wanted my advice on how to position herself and her services. One of my immediate suggestions: Start a thought leadership practice. Force yourself to think about your work and reflect on what you’ve learned. Start “thinking […]
3 Common Thought Leadership Roadblocks
In my work with thought leaders, I’ve learned a lot about what makes great thought leadership sing. But you know what’s even more helpful? Learning what makes thought leadership get stalled and stuck. Why do smart people with the best intentions (and razor-sharp marketing teams) sometimes get mired in their own ideas? Three reasons: they […]
Your Thought Leadership Needs a Headline
If you’re an expert in your field, you know a lot. You have deep knowledge about your industry. But just having that knowledge doesn’t make you a thought leader. Thought leaders are experts who share their knowledge by breaking it down, presenting it in interesting ways, and neatly packaging distinct ideas. Every time you present […]
Develop Your Thought Leadership Strategy: Think G-A-I-N
When business leaders come to me for help with their thought leadership, they usually have a lot of “who’s” on the tip of their tongues. “Did you see that [X PERSON] is publishing a book? I want to do that.” “I want to show up on LinkedIn like [Y PERSON].” “[Z PERSON] is everywhere lately. […]
Your Mid-Year Review: Reflection Prompts
2024 is halfway behind us. This middle point in the year feels like a good time to pause and reflect. Reflection is a thought leader’s superpower, but most people don’t pause to reflect often enough. So, I invite you to save these prompts and pull them out when you’re feeling relaxed, rested, and creative. I […]
You Get One Idea
How would you describe yourself in one word? It’s a tough question, even for the most self-aware among us. We contain multitudes, and any given person has a wide range of attributes that describe them, depending on the day, the season, and who you’re asking. Funny. Optimistic. Confident. Intelligent. Kind. Humble. Strong. Now, […]
There Is No Magic Formula for Thought Leadership
My friend Alyssa asked me a question earlier this week, and I’m still thinking about it: Can you be a thought leader AND shy away from controversy? In other words, can you change an industry without pushing any buttons or being perceived as a “challenger”? Can you be a positive, optimistic person who highlights opportunities rather than […]
