How can you use digital learning to become a thought leader?

In my experience, Digital learning provides an excellent approach towards building further depth/insights aligned to the learning competency. Looking for opportunities to share the learnings and inviting feedback provides a compounding impact on learning. Finally, celebrating the success of the implementation of learnings at work-place will contribute towards building up a learning culture and enable "Digital Learning as a way of life".

It's important to learn how to learn, I chose micro-learning that enables me to acquire micro-skills. I usually choose courses that are project-based learning. It helps me to focus on achieving a well-defined set of tasks. The theoretical knowledge is already acquired from the academy and the experiential knowledge is acquired in practice. Courses that are based on experiential learning normally offer case studies and/ or group-led activities coupled with lab instructions. Many platforms like Google Cloud Skills Boost are task-oriented and supported by further readings and references.

I explore content that offers the modalities that resonate with my learning style. As a visual learner, micro video content creates much impact on me, and from time to time, in my daily commute, I also pick 20-30 minute podcasts about the topics that I am curious to know more about. To become a thought leader, I see the benefit of spending quality discussions with a trusted and respected expert on the topics.

Adding a formal certification to your learnings is highly recommended. Try to search for formel certifications. Ex: when you take a course on project management check the different formal certifications recognized worldwide like the tuv Rheinland certification or the IPMA-D certification

I often borrow from the Kevin Costner/Amy Madigan film "Field of Dreams" when mentioning that training is often described as "build it and they will come"... a metaphor for the notion that "we provided the training but nothing happened!". When asked by clients to provide some form of training, I always start with the question, "Why invest in training?"... "What problems do you wish to solve?... What behaviour do you hope to change?... What outcomes do you want to inspire?" I feel that once there is clarity on the "why" of training, one can then focus on the logistics of who, what, when, where, and how. I agree with Kevin Alster's mention of the "push"... Aligned with "Lean Principles", the "pull" should ultimately come from the student.

Digital learning has created a vibrant, less stressful way for experts to showcase their ideas, facts, methodologies, and beliefs on a global scale. With this provision many more can conveniently share their data or frameworks on working methods for different industries that many can learn from and use to develop themselves. I like to think that digital learning has changed the landscape of thought leadership forever and has widened the opportunity for hidden talents to be discovered and newer, better strategies to be revealed. For you and I, it means we must use this grand tool as a pathway towards showcasing our capabilities and strengths within our industries so we can globalize our impact and market value.

Et si vous créiez votre contenu sous la forme d'un eLearning ? Compilez ce que vous connaissez, ce que vous avez testé, expérimenté et mis en oeuvre. La meilleure façon d'apprendre est d'enseigner. Alors enrichissez cette base de contenu avec des lectures, des réflexions et échanges avec vos pairs. Créez un eLearning avec un outil que vous connaissez ou profitez-en pour en découvrir un autre, simple à appréhender tel que Genialy par exemple.

To establish thought leadership in digital learning, consider incorporating personal experiences and stories into your content. Diversify your content formats, such as webinars, Q&A sessions, and interactive e-books, to reach a broader audience and cater to different learning preferences. Collaborate with other experts for joint content creation, such as co-authoring papers or hosting webinars. Consistency in content production and sharing, such as weekly blog posts or podcasts, keeps your audience engaged and builds a loyal following. Connect digital learning concepts with real-world applications, using case studies and practical tips to make your content more applicable and valuable.

Once you've done your research about what problems your audience has, it's time to create a content strategy that best serves them. Here are 2 things to do: 1️⃣ Develop your WIIFM (what's in it for me?) This is a statement that captures what your audience stands to gain by taking their time to view your content. "The interviews on this podcast will help you to stay on top of trends in the industry and help keep you informed on the evolving role of ed tech in L&D." 2️⃣ Start small, test small. Don't go for big webinars or whole interviews, start with resources that would take 5 minutes to consume. Think job aids or a library of helpful links to tools. And observe what people respond to! Don't create more scrap in inboxes.

Creating and sharing is a crucial role for any thought leader. Knowledge mobilization is a responsibility and must be taken with utmost caution and care. What you learn can from your own digital learning experiences can benefit others. Your role is of a translator here, so do it with care, accuracy and passion. Share why you care and why others should care about what you are sharing.

This is the 🔑 to "becoming" a thought leader...providing value. You do this by participating in the community and sharing your expertise and responding to people both big and small. Everyone needs your help. I like to think about participating with both the worms-eye view and the birds-eye view. What are the problems that individual people are trying to solve and how might I help them? AND... What are the big trends and insights that everyone needs to be aware of. 3 things to do on LinkedIn: 1️⃣ Follow 5 people who are thought leaders 2️⃣ Every day respond to their posts in the comments 3️⃣ Every day respond to 3 other people's comments in the thought leaders posts. Repeat and evolve your participation to seek to be useful!

To establish thought leadership in online communities, consider leading or hosting events, curating and sharing valuable learning resources, offering mentoring or guidance, creating and moderating special interest groups, and organizing virtual networking events. These strategies not only position you as an authority in your field but also enhance your standing as a knowledgeable leader. By actively participating in these communities, you can position yourself as a go-to person in your field and contribute to the growth of the community. Additionally, hosting virtual networking events can enhance community engagement and showcase your leadership and networking skills.

To become a thought leader in digital learning, it appears essential to humbly share acquired expertise within your specific skill niche. The primary audience would typically consist of young professionals entering the field seeking guidance. This kind of feedback serves as a valuable resource, particularly in assessing the claims made by advocates of complex technological solutions, where the genuine pedagogical value is seldom rigorously evaluated.

I've found that actively seeking feedback on my work, be it a blog post, a project, or even my participation in an online course, has been immensely beneficial. It's like holding up a mirror to your efforts, showing you not just what you're doing well, but also where you can improve. For instance, after sharing a piece of content, I often ask my audience directly for their thoughts – what resonated with them, what didn't, and why. This kind of interaction not only helps me refine my content but also deepens my connection with my audience. Similarly, when giving feedback, I focus on being constructive and empathetic, understanding that behind every piece of work is a person looking to grow.

In my experience it’s essential to ensure learners are at the heart of the thought process when designing learning and therefore need to be part of the feedback and feed forward progress.

To enhance your thought leadership journey, adopt a proactive approach to seeking and offering feedback. Establish a feedback loop with learners through surveys, comment sections, or direct messages, and use this feedback to refine your digital learning content. Participate in constructive peer reviews, reinforcing your understanding and credibility in your area of expertise. Engage in reflective practice, keeping a reflective journal for analysis and improvement planning. Emphasize reciprocal feedback, inviting others to critique your work, and use feedback to create content that addresses common questions, challenges, or misconceptions in your field.

Le feedback constitue un pilier fondamental de l'apprentissage, favorisant le développement personnel, la collaboration et l'amélioration continue. La rétroaction constructive, lorsqu'elle est échangée de manière ouverte et respectueuse, contribue significativement à l'évolution positive des compétences et des connaissances.

Seeking and providing feedback is a vital aspect of digital learning for thought leadership. Actively request feedback on your content, webinars, or online courses to understand audience needs. Use surveys and analytics to gauge impact. Likewise, offer constructive feedback to peers, fostering a collaborative community. This reciprocal process not only refines your content but also builds trust with your audience and fellow experts. Feedback is a compass for improvement, guiding your journey to becoming a trusted thought leader in the digital learning landscape.

We live in a world where "nothing is permanent but change", where new technologies, methodologies and policies are rapidly evolving. Our learning needs to develop new skills and adapt to these changes evolve in the same way. So, Digital learning has an enormous potentiel to provide updated and personalized courses, that can be accessed anytime anywhere (with wifi ofc ;)). It is one of the main unconventional learning methods I have been employing and enjoying since years.

Establishing thought leadership involves an ongoing learning journey. This involves focusing on lifelong learning, reflecting on learning strategies, sharing learning experiences, engaging with emerging trends, seeking challenging opportunities, and applying learning in real-world scenarios. This involves enrolling in new courses, staying updated on industry developments, and utilizing diverse learning formats. Sharing learning journeys through blog posts or social media updates encourages others to join in. Engaging with emerging trends shows commitment to staying at the forefront of your industry. Seeking challenging opportunities, such as speaking at webinars or writing thought pieces, demonstrates growth and pushing boundaries.

Embrace continuous learning through digital platforms for ongoing personal and professional growth. Stay curious, motivated, and adapt your goals based on progress and challenges. Demonstrating a commitment to lifelong learning sets a standard, fostering a culture of perpetual growth and leadership.

Online or Digital Learning is such a beautiful option for those who want to learn and outgrow themselves in areas of their interests and even in areas out of one's normal interests, which help them explore areas and topics beyond the scope of their educational background. It gives ample opportunities to improve and grow oneself as you can learn from anyone around the globe 🌍. Don't miss the opportunity, give yourself 30 minutes everyday to learn, unlearn and relearn and be a better version of yourself.

Una vez leí que el ingrediente esencial para asegurar un buen aprendizaje es interés-curiosidad. No importa cuantos mecanismos formales e informales ponga a disposición una organización para el aprendizaje si no somos capaces de generar cierto interés en los temas. Cada persona tiene una manera diferente de concebir el mundo, la vida y, por tanto, cada uno elige la mejor forma de aprendizaje que mejor encaja con su modo de vida. El reto está en si somos capaces de tener paciencia, humildad y empatía para descubrirla y si conseguimos generar inspiración para que los demás decidan invertir su tiempo en aprender algo nuevo que les genera algún tipo de interés

Como especialistas en un tema, tendemos a escribir automáticamente términos técnicos y a obviar conceptos básicos. Esto significa que al escribir es muy probable que hayas dado por “obvios” determinados conocimientos. Error. Nada es obvio en la comunicación online. Cuando realices la corrección de un texto, te sugiero subrayar este tipo de términos de uso técnico que, a partir de este momento se van a transformar en tus palabras clave. Con tus palabras clave a la vista, procede a: 1- Pensarlos para el lector sin experiencia. 2- Desarrollar con palabras simples cada uno de estos términos. 3- Sustituir en el texto los términos técnicos por explicaciones más amables al lector.

In my opinion, while the outlined steps are crucial, consider leveraging social media platforms for wider outreach. Engage in discussions, host live sessions, and collaborate with other influencers. Also, focus on niche topics to establish authority. Personal experience: I've seen significant growth by actively participating in Twitter chats and hosting webinars on specialized subjects, which enhanced my digital presence and thought leadership.