We sat down for four questions with Denise Brosseau following the publication of her book Ready to Be a Thought Leader, exploring what it really takes to become a thought leader.
What is a thought leader?
Thought leaders are change makers who move and inspire others with their innovative ideas, turn those ideas into reality, and then create a dedicated group of friends, fans, and followers to help them replicate and scale those ideas into sustainable change. They spread their ideas, programs, or initiatives far beyond one company, organization, or community to make a broader impact in their industry or in the world.
The definition of thought leadership doesn’t change based on which arena you are playing in. The key is whether someone is focused on change that is incremental or truly revolutionary. Thought leaders focus on the latter.
For me, thought leadership is not about being known, it is about being known for making a difference. To be a true thought leader, focus on adding real value to the world. It is not about building followers just for the ego value. It is about building visibility, credibility, and a platform in order to have a meaningful impact.
How can Ready to Be a Thought Leader? help us drive change?
I will show you how to start thinking about the change that you are implementing, or want to implement, in a new way. Is it a change that has broader applicability beyond your company, community, or organization? Do you have a point of view on what needs to change on a far bigger scale? Do you want to see your ideas, programs, or initiatives adopted far more widely in order to bring about a better future? If so, my book will help you reach out to others to test your ideas, gain buy-in, and get them on board to help scale the efforts you have underway.
Why is thought leadership the best career insurance policy?
It is no longer enough to put your head down, do your job, and hope you get noticed for the skills and expertise you bring to the table. If you are a well-known thought leader in your niche—someone who has a large network of followers, someone who is sought out for your ideas and known for adding significant value to any organization—then you no longer look for jobs (or clients or board seats). They look for you. People seek you out and you begin to gain a seat at the table where important decisions are being made, rather than being left on the sidelines when change is underway.
Can readers benefit from your book no matter where they are in their careers?
Yes. If they are fairly senior and have already implemented significant changes in their company or their industry, it might be time to codify their expertise into a framework or roadmap for others to follow, and I show how to do that. If readers are just getting started, I will help them begin by thinking about the “What If? Future” they’d like to create, and what role will they play in it.
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