Thought leaders make a following
It seems like everyone is scrambling to find out who the next thought leader is and add them to their company roster. I encourage you to do that.
With the gathering of information being so vital to business today I think if you are the one creating the data then you will be much further ahead. Also, if you can provoke thought in those who are around you then you can help shape the future.
Here’s the thing, what is a thought leader? What qualities should they possess? Is thoughtful thinking something that we are born into? If not, can we acquire the skills needed to become a thought leader?
Thought Leaders Are
I’m not going to pretend I know what a thought leader is, however, I’m going to take a stab at it. Maybe you can join in by posting a comment on what you think thought leadership is?
Thought leaders ask questions.
Thought leaders provoke emotion.
Thought leaders give what they know.
Thought leaders what to see change.
Thought leaders create action.
Thought leaders think outside the box.
Part of this list seems to be teachable skills and if that is the case then yes you can acquire the needed skills to become a thought leader. If you are looking for thought leadership skills then follow the leaders and learn from them.
Here’s a few that I follow. There are many others.
Andrew Schiestel of TBK Creative
Seth Godin
Malcolm Gladwell
Harry Beckwith
Scott Adams AKA Dilbert