Lessons for Leading Through Uncertainty
As a mom to a 6- and 9-year-old, I usually try to “parent from ahead.” On a typical day, that might mean planning what’s for dinner, making sure we all have clean socks, and anticipating what might be stressing my kids out. It’s the most low-stress and successful way for me to parent. But on […]
How to Define Values for Your Thought Leadership Content
Hot take: Thought leaders should define values to guide their work. Thought leaders lead the way forward with big, bold, generous ideas. They question norms and offer new solutions. Bringing new ideas into the world is a position of power and influence, and comes with a weight of responsibility. That’s why I think thought leaders […]
The Future of SEO and a New Era of Thought Leadership
Can you feel it in the air? We’re entering a new era…a new era that prizes and prioritizes thought leadership. As SEO becomes a harder and harder game to win, the only way to differentiate yourself will be through sharing your original, unique perspective. Let’s investigate what’s leading to this shift and what it means […]
How to Ask Better Questions
“That’s a good question.” How often do you hear that? When I hear, “That’s a good question,” it signals that the other person is pausing to think. Whatever I’m asking them is unexpected and is pushing them to reflect in a new way. In other words, I hit the jackpot. Whether I’m interviewing a leader […]
AI Can’t Do Your Most Important Thought Leadership Work for You
AI can’t write your thought leadership for you. If you’re looking for an Easy Button for thought leadership, I have bad news. It doesn’t exist. Sure, people are selling Easy Buttons: “Click here to generate your AI-powered story!” A recent example: One storytelling coach is developing a new AI tool that claims to “arm exceptional […]
Conversation Quick-Starters: How to Get People Talking About Their Work
At networking events, it’s not hard to get people talking. But what’s harder to master is how to get people talking about their work in a way that drives connection and understanding. When you meet someone new, how can you learn about their work quickly? How can you really get to know them and what […]
When the Idea Is Bigger Than You
What do you do when you have a big idea? How do you spread that idea to other people to create a movement? To build a platform that other people can climb onto? The true goal of thought leadership isn’t gaining fame or grabbing people’s attention. It’s about spreading your ideas and leading the way […]
How to Be a Thought Leader, Not Just an Instigator: Close the Circle
How do you feel about challengers — people who question everything and shake things up? I think this personality type can make a helpful thought leader, as long as they present solutions along with their critiques. I define “thought leaders” as people who think in public about their work. Thought leaders share what they know, […]
Thought Leadership Inspiration: Focus on the Hardest Part of the Problem
“Focus on the hardest part of the problem.” That’s advice that my client, technical teamwork expert Chris Danek, gives to teams working on complicated medical device problems. The advice applies to thought leadership, too, whether you’re talking about your work as a mechanical engineer or a management consultant. Hear me out. Go beyond the basic […]
How to Simplify the Way You Talk About Your Work (No Jargon Allowed)
How do you respond to the question “What do you do?” Can you answer it in a sentence? Is your answer as simple as “I do X for Y because Z”? Or do you have to take a deep breath before you wander down a long, winding road toward an inexact definition of your work? […]
