What Makes a Thought Leader?

Is it success that makes someone a thought leader? Innovation? Or is it originality?

It’s one thing to be the most effective or the most successful leader in an industry and it’s quite another to be a thought leader. A thought leader is someone who is viewed as an expert because their ideas are well-known and have somehow impacted the industry. These ideas are not always deemed original ideas, but rather a new perspective.

Thought leaders look at existing best practices and come up with new and innovative processes. They stimulate change, often causing great disruption and attention.

However, becoming known as a thought leader shouldn’t be your goal; it’s a byproduct of innovation. The goal is to try to positively impact an industry by demonstrating your capabilities. Media and public relations can be an effective way to promote yourself. The more people you can reach, the more impactful your ideas become.

Professionals looking to get their ideas out and demonstrate their leadership can do so through source interviews, bylined articles, speaking engagements and other public relations strategies. These mediums not only merit attention, but build an audience. Continuing this relationship with your audience only further strengthens your brand and reputation and puts you on the path to impacting or even revolutionizing an industry.