You're a technology professional in thought leadership. What are the best career paths to take?

When I started my journey developing a point of view was a necessity. I was working in the early days of the web; not many people understood what was happening. I focused on finding opportunities to talk at conferences, running internal training, meeting with clients and others in the industry. Work hard to keep current but also to go beyond the technology to help people understand, or frame, what was going on and how things might evolve. The other thing is I am a learn by doing person so while plenty of people commentate I find the best way to develop thought leadership is by applying it. It is also important to bounce thoughts and ideas around with others you respect in your field. Learn with others, be humble, earn the right.

To become a thought leader, start by pinpointing your passion within a precise yet appealing niche. Consider areas like cloud computing or AI that spark your interest and where you can address challenges, trends, and hone skills. This focus not only highlights your expertise but also connects with a wider audience interested in these subjects. Begin crafting and distributing insightful content to establish your authority and reliability in the chosen field. Your unique insights will gradually build your reputation as a thought leader.

Some potential career paths to become a thought leader in technology include specializing in areas like cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or digital transformation. Find your niche, build expertise, and share valuable content to establish authority.

"The ones crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do." - Steve Jobs Only you know inside who you really are and what best you have to offer this world. Becoming SME of what you are passionate about, is the best path to take forward. Become an SME in your passion with clear goals. Invest in development, stay up-to-date with emerging trends, contribute via writing/speaking. As a consultant or advisor, you can leverage your knowledge, skills and experience to guide organizations through change, implement best practices, drive innovation, work with diverse clients and be part of the journey together.

The best career paths for technology professionals often involve a blend of technical expertise, leadership skills, and continuous learning. Consider roles in software engineering, data science, cybersecurity, or cloud computing. As Robert Frost said, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." Pursue paths where you can make a meaningful impact and carve out your unique journey.

I've never met a Thought Leader who set out with the aim of becoming a thought leader. In every instance, those who I know as Thought Leaders have been awarded that title by others, always as a result of having an obsessive curiosity, and subsequent expertise, within a particular domain. My advice in becoming a thought leader is to work out the biggest, most compelling puzzle you could ever hope to solve, and throw yourself headfirst into figuring it out. It all follows from that.

If I was to focus on one thing developing my IT career and thought leadership, it would be : "Own the Business Case!" Technology is just an enabler of people and processes working together for an efficient outcome. Get spectacular at being able to articulate, estimate, measure, enrol stakeholders in all aspects of the cost benefit analysis so it is clear what success looks like, in monetary, capacity, people, social, safety terms. Only three or four key benefits are needed to make a clear case. If it takes many more than that, then it's sketchy at best.

Technology expertise is sorely needed in almost every sphere of business activity. I suggest tech professionals DON'T stay in their lane but instead seek to have the widest possible influence on the organisation.