Page 57 - Ignite Change: Unleashing thought leadership - A roadmap to thougth leadership

You could also create a blog for sharing and reflection (more about blogs later). A

blog is a great vehicle for articulating your ideas and developing your voice. You can
start with a private blog and go live when you are ready to start sharing more

broadly.

Find influencers and tap into your mentors. Share your ideas with them. Read and
reflect what they say on their blogs and social media platforms. Listen to their advice.

Learn.

Put Yourself on the Line

This is where Courage comes in. You need to start making your thinking visible to

others. You need to be willing to step up and bravely assert your views and ideas in
the public domain.

By engaging others in the online space, you may be required to defend your ideas –

make sure you are practising evidence-based practice and can back up all your
ideas with sound theory, supported by your experience.

3. Build your Online Presence

Frame your story

YOU decide what you would like to be known for and how you would like to be
represented. It is up to you to decide what values, skills, qualities and perceptions

you would like others to have about you as a thought leader. This comes back to
understanding your “WHY” and the contribution you would like to make to your field.

Remember, even though you have an opportunity to frame your story, ultimately it
comes down to whether others see you as a reliable and credible source of

information. You don’t get to name yourself a thought leader, you need to be
promoted as one by your audience and industry influencers. They need to see you

as a master of your field, as someone who actively demonstrates thought leadership

through creating and sharing consistent content and contributing to the key
discussions in your niche.

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