So You Want To Be a Thought Leader . . .

The phrase I hear most often from entrepreneurs who want to write and traditionally publish a book is “thought leader.” 

It’s right up there in the top 5 with words and phrases like: 

Oprah
TED Talk
Brené Brown
Speaking
New York Times bestseller 

Since you opened this email, I’m guessing that you, too, want to be a thought leader. Or are curious about what that means. And I’m going to tell you.

The joke about thought leadership is that you can’t call yourself a thought leader, just like you can’t give yourself a nickname. To me, thought leadership is about influence. 

It’s not about the number of followers you have, or how much revenue you make. Instead, it’s about whether you can influence and change how people think about their life, their work, or their circumstances. 

And to be clear, that’s a big ask. There’s a reason those top 5 words and phrases are considered a big deal. There’s a reason not everyone gets to share a stage with Oprah, be on a podcast with Brené Brown, give a TED talk, demand top dollar as a speaker, or become a New York Times bestseller. 

In order to be a thought leader, you have to stand out. You need to say something fresh, new, intriguing. You have to be clear on your messaging, and the words you say and the advice you offer have to create a demonstrable impact.

Not all of my clients are thought leaders. But for those who want to be, there is a proven path.