You're building your thought leadership network from scratch. How can you earn the trust of industry experts?

Before sharing your voice, you must remember that to earn credibility and trust, you have to walk the talk. For that, focus on my formula for building credibility: values + actions = credibility. When sharing your authentic voice, communicate your values so others can understand what you stand for. However, it’s important to note that authenticity is not the same as transparency. You don’t need to share every personal detail of your life for others to know the authentic you. To share your authentic voice, speak from your heart, clearly articulate who you are and what you stand for, and demonstrate that by consistently living your values.

A genuine voice can distinguish you from others and create a strong connection with your audience. Sharing your unique perspective and experiences demonstrates your expertise and passion, making your ideas more compelling and memorable. Authenticity fosters a sense of trust and respect, which is crucial for building meaningful relationships with industry leaders and establishing yourself as a respected authority in your field.

Trust, alignment, and consistency are key ingredients for becoming a great thought leader. Your thoughts, emotions, speech, and actions should all be in harmony to convey trust effectively. For instance, when someone invites you to their office, your thought should be positive, your emotions should reflect agreement, your speech should confirm your commitment, and your action should follow through with a visit as scheduled. Ensuring that all these elements are in sync creates a clear path towards establishing thought leadership

Present your genuine perspectives and insights. Authenticity fosters credibility and helps you connect with industry experts on a personal level.

Yes. Consistency is crucial for establishing strong connections on online platforms. It plays a vital role in connecting people and nurturing thought leadership. By consistently showcasing expertise and engaging with professionals across different platforms, one can effectively develop thought leadership.

Trust forms the foundation of all relationships, including within your thought leadership network. Prioritize establishing authentic connections with industry experts over transactional engagements. Immerse yourself in events, forums, and online communities where influencers in your field interact. Practice listening more than speaking, and when you contribute, ensure it adds value. Gradually, these relationships can develop into trusted partnerships, strengthening your network.

Team members will come to you, only when you solve their problems and add value to their work. I believe in the power of solving problems by viewing situations through the lens of a thought leader. When you add value to people's work, you engage and support them effectively. Remember, offering valuable assistance is key to building strong relationships.

Provide useful insights, share resources, or collaborate on projects. By offering value, you position yourself as a helpful and knowledgeable partner.

Develop a strong personal brand that reflects your expertise and values. A well-defined brand helps differentiate you and makes you more appealing to industry leaders.