How can you build your thought leadership skills outside of work?

You can develop your thought leadership skills in several ways: 1) Offer guidance to aspiring professionals in fields related to your expertise. This allows you to refine your communication skills, gain new perspectives, and build a positive reputation. 2) Participate in online communities or forums related to your field but focus on niche topics or emerging trends. This allows you to establish yourself as a thought leader within specific segments of your industry. 3) Start a personal blog or website: Share informative articles, case studies or personal experiences related to your field. Building thought leadership takes time and consistent effort. Be patient, focus on providing genuine value and engage authentically with your audience

I have both a blog and a podcast, each with its own voice. When I want to share something interesting that I have done prior, I often write about it on my blog. I use the podcast to extract ideas through conversations with other small business owners, and, if possible, turn the ideas into something useful to share with my community. Finding my voice for each of these took some time and I am still fine-tuning with every episode or posting, but the more I find ways to share information, the stronger my ability to communicate it becomes.

Start a blog on topics related to your area of expertise. Share your insights, experiences, and perspectives on industry trends, best practices, and emerging issues. Regularly publishing high-quality content can help you build credibility and attract a following of interested readers.

In today's competitive business environment, thought leadership extends far beyond the workplace. 1. Engage in Continuous Learning: Thought leaders are perpetual learners. Take advantage of online courses, webinars, and workshops to stay informed about your field's latest trends and developments. 2. Participate in Industry Forums: Joining online forums and discussion groups related to your field allows you to converse with other professionals. 3. Speak at Conferences and Events: Seek opportunities to speak at conferences, seminar 4. Network Strategically: Build relationships with professionals both within and outside your industry.

Building thought leadership skills outside of work is a great way to enhance your professional growth. Here are some practical steps you can take: 1. Online training courses: Explore platforms like edX, Google, or other online training resources. 2. Mentorship: A mentor can guide you, share insights, and help you navigate challenges. 3. Join local professional associations relevant to your field. 4. Volunteer for events, committees, or projects related to your expertise. 5. Thought leadership content creation: Blogging Video content. Social media engagement. 6. Learn from thought leaders: Follow thought leaders in your field. 7. Outside-of-work projects. Initiate projects beyond your job responsibilities.

A key initiative a partner and I built in 2022, and now on its second year is the Philippines’ Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn. Now on our 2nd year, this search aims to highlight the best of the best Filipino leaders who are active on the platform. The foundation by which we created this lies in 5 key leadership values that we want to uphold and champion: Integrity, Resilience, Courage, Inspiration, and a strong Filipino leadership trait called “Malasakit” which means Caring. Through this initiative I hope to do my share in building the next leaders of the country through highlighting great examples of what good leadership is all about. And along the way, aiming to also build credibility and trust for my thought leadership and reputation.

Joining forums where you can give back in some form, be in community development or leadership development or a social cause helps in building thought leadership. These platforms challenge you and bring out the best in you, helping you grow. When you grow well and are credible the thought leadership follows!

I've been fortunate to mentor startup founders and executives through accelerator programs and investor networks. Having 1:1 and group interaction with these targeted audiences gives me the chance to share subject matter expertise, and sharpen my skills with new questions and new scenarios. As a result, I become the go-to for my knowledge and connections, and this distinguishes me further as a thought leader.

To build thought leadership outside work, join online communities related to your field. Here's how: Engage in discussions by providing insights and solutions. Share high-quality resources and latest industry news. Ask and Answer Questions to showcase your knowledge. Network to foster professional relationships. Learn from peers to stay updated on industry trends.

Join online forums, discussion groups, or social media platforms related to your industry or area of expertise. Engage in conversations, share your knowledge and insights, and connect with other professionals who share similar interests. Actively participating in online communities can help you build relationships, gain exposure, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

Writing a book or an eBook can significantly bolster your thought leadership: Identify Your Niche: Focus on your area of expertise that resonates with readers. Structure Your Content: Organize your knowledge into a clear, accessible format. Consistent Writing: Allocate regular time for writing to maintain momentum. Edit Rigorously: Ensure clarity and precision in your narrative. Publish Strategically: Consider self-publishing for control or traditional for reach. Promote Your Work: Leverage social media and professional networks for visibility.

Writing a book or an eBook is a powerful avenue to establish thought leadership outside of work. It allows you to delve deeply into a subject, showcasing your expertise and unique perspective. Start by identifying a niche that aligns with your professional strengths and interests but is also in demand. This ensures your book adds value to existing conversations. Regularly share insights from your book on social media and professional networks like LinkedIn to engage with your audience and build your profile. Additionally, offering webinars or workshops based on your book can further solidify your status as a thought leader. Remember, the goal is to contribute meaningful, actionable insights that can help others grow.

Write articles for industry publications, websites, or online forums. Submit guest posts to relevant blogs or online magazines to reach a broader audience and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

If you're a seasoned pro in your field and itching to spread your wisdom far and wide, why not think about penning a book or an ebook? It's like bottling up all that expertise and unleashing it to the masses. Not only does it cement your authority and showcase your vast knowledge, but it also gives back to your audience. Plus, let's not forget the potential income boost, the extra visibility, and the legacy you'll leave behind. Just a heads-up, though: writing ain't no walk in the park. It takes serious time, effort, and resources, so make sure you're all in with a clear goal, a solid plan, and a trusty support crew by your side.

It is so easy to write & publish books/ebooks with platforms like Amazon/Kindle, & it is the best practice to help you get comfortable with processing thoughts, & writing them down into a cohesive story. Also, there is something magical that happens when you hit publish & send it out into the world. Even if no one reads it, the fact that you have just sent your words out into the ether WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF COMPLETE STRANGERS READING IT, that in itself is a much needed confidence boost that will help you on the journey of building your thought leadership skills.

To build thought leadership, speaking at industry events or webinars is effective: Find Relevant Opportunities: Look for conferences, workshops, or webinars that align with your expertise. Prepare Engaging Content: Create presentations that provide real value and insights to your audience. Polish Your Public Speaking: Practice to deliver your message with confidence and clarity. Interact with Attendees: Engage the audience with Q&A sessions to foster rapport. Network: Connect with fellow speakers and participants to expand your professional circle.

Look for opportunities to speak at conferences, workshops, webinars, or industry events. Offer to present on topics that showcase your expertise and provide valuable insights to attendees. Speaking engagements can help you build visibility, expand your network, and enhance your reputation as a thought leader.

Speaking in events or webinars is a very effective way of building thought leadership outside work. These opportunities allow you to connect with a large live audience, and they get an opportunity to ask questions and connect with you later. Each question and conversation further builds your understanding of the topic, and allows you to spread your thoughts.

Seek out your local Toastmasters, TEDx events, and speakers bureaus, or suggest a topic you can speak about on a webinar on behalf of your company. Public speaking skills is a life skill and necessary to be a good thought leader.

Another vote for Toastmasters, but also consider instructing an agent to work on your behalf. Pitching events (online or virtual) can be intensive, so if you need help - find it.

Mentoring others is a powerful way to enhance thought leadership: Share Expertise: Pass on your knowledge and experience, fostering growth in others. Develop Leadership Skills: Mentoring improves communication, empathy, and leadership abilities. Learn from Mentees: Gain fresh perspectives and ideas, creating a two-way learning street. Expand Your Network: Connect with a broader community through mentoring relationships.

One of my most rewarding professional experiences has been the mentoring work I've done venture-backed startups, and accelerators over the past 10+ years. Working with a variety of startups solving a range of problems helps me sharpen my approach, and exposes me to new ways of doing business that I can incorporate into my offer. Mentoring keeps my thoughts fresh, and also validates the knowledge I already possess.

Getting involved in mentoring or coaching others is hands down one of the most fulfilling ways to level up your thought leadership game beyond the office. It's like passing on the torch of wisdom to eager minds hungry for knowledge in your field. By sharing your expertise, skills, and insider tips, you not only make a difference in their lives and careers but also hone your own leadership, teaching, and listening chops along the way. Plus, who knows? You might just pick up a thing or two from your mentees or coaches yourself. It's a win-win all around!

The first step towards Thought Leadership is to know who your target audience is. They can be within your work area or beyond. Engaging with them and knowing their problems becomes the next step. Helping them through mentoring and coaching is best way to establish as a thought leader

...or coach and mentor students at your local schools. Mentors make great thought leaders because they harness the wisdom and curiosity in others.

I once attended a TEDWomen conference wearing a custom t-shirt I'd made that said "Stop Meditating!". At the time, I was researching a topic I wanted to write about (how corporations offer in-office wellness methods to downplay overstressed work environments) & thought this was a creative way to standout in this group of phenomenal women while practicing my speaking skills if/when someone asked me about my tshirt (which they did). Find ways to practice that match your personality style - your thought leadership content will be the better for it!

Remember, thought leadership is not just about what you know; it’s about how effectively you share your knowledge and influence others. Be proactive, curious, and open to continuous learning!

I find that networking events are also a great way to talk to others in your space and learn new and interesting experiences, methods, products, services and ideas that can help to inform your own thinking. Online forums are fine, but I find question to a broad group can go unanswered or the answers you get are never clearly coming from a source you can trust. Casual conversations, comparing of notes and brainstorming with peers in person can help you to discover the white space and formulate new ideas that can launch an entirely different and more evolved thought leadership platforms for yourself.

Building your thought leadership skills outside of work has little to do with starting a blog or podcast, writing a book, joining a community, or speaking at events. Building your thought leadership SKILLS requires developing unique and advanced perspectives on one or more topics. Thought leadership skills include analysis, interpreting, visioning, studying, and more. You use podcasts, books, and communities to gain new perspectives and vet your ideas. #ThoughtLeadership

Offer to mentor or coach others who are looking to develop their skills or advance their careers. Share your knowledge, offer guidance, and provide support to help others succeed. Serving as a mentor or coach can not only benefit others but also reinforce your own expertise and leadership abilities.