In our last blog, we talked about the core principles of leadership; Today, we’ll expand upon the leadership role and discuss the process of becoming a thought leader.
What is a Thought Leader?
For those not familiar with the term, a thought leader is someone who others declare an authority in a field, topic or industry. Thought leaders have solid reputations in a field or industry only after proving themselves to other experts in that field. They possess the educational and experiential credentials to support their authoritative claim and are willing to share their knowledge to help others.
Before the insurgence of online platforms, thought leaders wrote articles in trade magazines, and spoke at events and conferences. In today’s digital environment, however, thought leaders have an opportunity to reach millions more through online platforms and blogs. It takes a lot of work to become a thought leader; below are 6 steps to spur your path to leadership path.
- Personal Branding
Putting yourself on the thought leadership path begins with your brand. A robust online presence will highlight you and your expertise through social media channels.
- Blogging
Building your brand requires regular communication to those you want to reach. Find your voice and shape your content around that voice; show your knowledge on a topic. It’s good practice to write, update and post regularly and consistently.
- Niche
Target a small market to start, then work up to a larger one; show your expertise on the topic.
- Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing is the favorite new buzz phrase in industry. Once you establish yourself and maintain a following, ask other bloggers if they will accept your guest post. Gather a few and let them work for you. Influencers will promote your expertise to their follower base.
- Building a Strong Network
Other tools that will help develop your reputation as an authority include speaking engagements and events. Building an extensive network is a crucial building block on the path to thought leadership.
- Go Outside of the Box
You can stand out in the crowd by presenting more than just the standard industry content. Go outside of the box and introduce new and innovative topics that will raise a few eyebrows and attract more attention.
In summary, if you want to advance in your career, work on becoming a thought leader – a process that does not happen overnight. Building a reputation as an authority takes a considerable amount of time and patience. Follow a process that applies to your industry and create a strategic plan that outlines step by step how you will get there. Complete each level before you move on to the next. Be patient, and you will be off to a good start as a thought leader.
About Lingo Staffing
Lingo is a full-service staffing firm dedicated to providing top quality services to its clients and its candidate pool. With extensive knowledge and experience in light industrial, administrative, and professional employment, Lingo encompasses the capabilities and resources necessary to help you get ahead.Our experience and commitment to client satisfaction make us the perfect choice to manage all your staffing needs. Our staff guarantees exceptional customer service with a fitting response time. Our experts are located at an office near you: Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia.
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