BFW: What Does it Take to Become a Thought Leader?

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Dear Reader,

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Hello Brain Food Wednesday readers!
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Welcome to another edition of Brain Food Wednesdays, your weekly intellectual feast. In this edition, issue 229, we talk about how to become a thought leader.
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Introduction: How to Become a Thought Leader

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Are you on LinkedIn? Have you been taking part in the collaborative articles to get a badge?

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I have been adding to the collaborative articles. So far, I have a top social media voice badge. However, I’d love one for leadership development and thought leadership.

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With those two goals in mind, I’ve searched for articles to add to. The process got me thinking about what it takes to become a thought leader. Some people describe themselves as thought leaders.
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But can you give yourself that title? Or is it others who decide you’re a thought leader based on the things you say and do?

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What are your thoughts?
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Definition of a Thought Leader

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A thought leader is an individual who is recognized as an authority in a specific industry or field because of their expertise, knowledge, and insights. They are often sought out for their opinions, advice, and expertise, and they play a key role in shaping the direction and conversations within their industry.
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Thought leadership involves creating and sharing valuable content, ideas, and perspectives that often challenge conventional thinking, spark innovation, and influence others in the industry.
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How to Become a Thought Leader

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Identify your niche: Determine a specific area within your industry where you have in-depth knowledge and expertise. If you don’t have deep expertise and knowledge, you can work at developing the expertise. You can read books on the topic and take courses.
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Create high-quality content: Develop and share content such as blog posts, articles, videos, podcasts, or social media posts that provide valuable information and insights to your target audience.
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To deepen your thought leadership and create unique content, read at least five books that are off the beaten path that cover your topic. Connect the ideas across the books you read to generate unique ideas, insights, and perspectives.
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Build a strong online presence: Use social media platforms, industry forums, and networking events to show your expertise and engage with others in your industry. Offer to speak at online events, so others can see you’re knowledgeable about the topic.
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When you speak at events, be different. Don’t simply repeat what others are saying. Talk about your experiences and include information that you learned from the books you read.
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Collaborate with other thought leaders: Collaborate with other experts in your field to expand your reach and credibility. When you learn something new, share the information with those you collaborate with.
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Stay informed and up-to-date: Stay current on industry trends, news, and developments to ensure your insights and content remain relevant and valuable. As you learn about industry trends and news in your industry, think about insights you can glean from what you’re learning.
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Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, questions, and feedback from your audience to build relationships and establish yourself as a trusted source of information.
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Becoming a thought leader doesn’t have to be difficult. If you found this newsletter informative, and you want to support me, please:
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​Sign up for my membership site Art of Learning Leadership Academy​
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Warm regards,
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Avil Beckford

Brain Food Wednesdays

Editor, Brain Food Wednesdays

Founder, The Invisible Mentor & Art of Learning Leadership Academy

​theinvisiblementor.com artoflearningleadershipacademy.com​

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