The past few years have been all about transformation. On an individual level, this refers to skill development and assuming leadership in the workspace. When it refers to organisations, it reflects the move towards adopting digital and tech innovations in keeping with larger industry trends. Finally, when it comes to business leaders and industry experts, it explains the move towards thought leadership.
As an experienced business leader striving to be one of the top organisational leaders in India, growing to the next level will involve developing a strong thought leadership strategy.
Who is a thought leader?
A thought leader is someone who comes with significant experience and expertise. But, at the same time, they offer a unique perspective, guidance, and a greater level of understanding to new professionals and entrepreneurs in the industry.
Here are 9 effective ways to build your thought leadership profile and grow your personal brand.
- Pick your niche – Even as one of the top industry leaders, you will only be one among many voices unless you pick a niche that can shine a spotlight on you. Sanjiv Bajaj, the Chairman and CEO of Bajaj Finserv, is one of the best examples of a famous thought leader who has brought together finance and digital technology. By leveraging the power of technology, Sanjiv Bajaj brought together a rather traditional industry to the doorsteps of a modern economy. This is his niche and the subject that makes him a thought leader.
- All about engagement – Thought leadership is more than being an expert or a consultant. It involves talking about the industry, the economy, and allied subjects. Thought leaders also understand the industry’s direction and make astute predictions by studying the challenges and exciting advances and engaging in a constructive debate centred on these issues.
- Go Social – As an influencer and a thought leader, it is not enough that you make yourself heard at industry events. The best way to inspire young professionals is to go social and interact with people from diverse backgrounds through various platforms. Anand Mahindra, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group, has been one of India’s most revered and best-empowering leaders. It is only through his influence on platforms like Twitter that he has grown to be one of the most famous thought leaders in the country.
- The written word – One of the greatest mistakes most people make with their thought leadership strategy is expecting podcasts, social media, and such content to replace the written word. Industry players and professionals always want to read your take on matters. Publishing a book or maintaining a blog is a great way to achieve this.
- Be a presence – Be a steady presence at industry events and showcase the workability of your solutions through your own business or organisation. Host events and share your knowledge. N R Narayana Murthy, the founder of Infosys, is one of the best examples of thought leaders who dip into their rich experience and have now become thought leaders who encourage upcoming entrepreneurs to work for the collective improvement of the industry.
- Invite innovation – Innovation is the key to unlocking the future and making the best of out-of-the-box thinking. As a thought leader, it is a great idea to invite innovative solutions from stakeholders and become a conduit for resetting industry solutions.
- Look beyond – A thought leader can transcend their business interests and look at greater goals. As one of the famous thought leaders, your vision and ideas will be followed and studied by millions. These could be the challenges that have riddled the industry, national economic issues, or even environmental issues that we face as a community.
- Learn and listen – One of the most significant challenges that prominent business leaders face is the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. A thought leader understands that experience and expertise need to be constantly honed by keeping themselves updated, learning about research developments, and listening to industry professionals across the globe.
- Seek and provide endorsements – Thought leaders work by bringing together business leaders and industry experts. This could mean inviting them to guest post on your blog, co-host a podcast, or indulge in a constructive debate.
Being a thought leader is building a personal brand and becoming an authoritative source of industry news and views. It also involves predicting trends and challenges. Building your thought leadership strategy requires a lot of time and resources, but the hard work certainly pays off.
Conclusion: Thought leaders bring considerable experience and expertise by leading successful businesses in the industry. Your thought leadership strategy may require a great deal of time and effort, but it will establish your personal brand as an authoritative source in the industry. Social media presence, engaging with other industry professionals, writing a book or maintaining a blog, inviting innovative solutions and providing guidance to new entrepreneurs are all strategies you can adopt in your thought leadership journey.