Thought Leadership
In simple words, showcasing expertise in a certain area through any medium of communication is Thought Leadership. This phrase is very loosely used, and associated word dropping is done during conversations in corporate corridors, with stakeholders and decision makers an individual or firm intends to influence. For corporate professionals, thought leadership is showcasing their expertise in the line of business, technology, industry, sector, function and so on. The medium of showcasing is also many: Blogging, Whitepapers, Articles, Books, Speaking Engagements, Video, Audio, etc. the majority of the mid to senior leaders in the corporate sector are aware of this concept and its impact on their career. Yet, many do not take any action in this direction for some of the reasons like: 1. Confidence: Am I really the authority on this subject? Well, if you are doing well in your field, chances are you are. A tech architect working in a narrow domain of software development using open source platforms, let’s say Property and Casualty insurance field, probably is one of the few professionals in the world knowledgeable about this subject. Confidence emerges naturally when you determine your niche, or micro niche. 2. Fear of Ridicule: “People may not like what I write. I may fall short of expectations of some or many people.” This fear compounded with shaky confidence, sabotages this imitative right in the beginning and does not let a person start. Did you realise that many people who present scientific papers are also challenged? Some people will like what you are trying to convey and some people will not. At least the people who like your thoughts on a particular subject matter will tend to gravitate towards you and the people who do not, would probably come forward [...]