Stand Out

In the past, a thought leader was an extension of a corporate brand. That’s not the case today. Today, a corporate brand is often the extension of a thought leader’s brand. It’s like the pyramid has flipped and the importance of you as a brand in your company or among other thought leaders is more important than ever.

Authenticity builds trust. You know better than anyone what’s true for you. You sense when you’re on course and when you’re off.

Start with a simple idea.

Effectively managing that gap begins with recognizing that reputation is a matter of perception. And this perception works in different ways – the wider the gap – the wider your perception of something is from the reality of what it actually is. This is true of every thought leader.

If you measure the effectiveness of your audience-building process only on the number of new followers you attract, then it’s likely that you are spending a lot of time focused only on the size of your audience and not those that fit your “ideal” thought follower (your audience) profile. You can have more from less.

When confronted with fear – do you run away from it or run towards it?

Standing for something is great but acting with purpose and sharing your views can turn a good leader into a great leader.

Think of it this way, what you stand for is like an inner compass. It points the way to your heart’s truest and highest desire because the things you enjoy doing most will ultimately guide you to your greatest achievements and happiness.

Do you fumble for words, not quite sure what to say, or are you clear on the reason(s) why you do what you do in the world? “What you stand for” is complicated—and it’s also simple. You can’t fake what you stand for.

The key is to gain clarity on your inner values, passions, talents, and experiences that are the positive qualities that people already recognize and appreciate about you. Identify those things, nurture them, share them, and promote them—they are your distinct advantage and the source of your success.