Written by: Vickie Sullivan | August 10, 2021
Give this Great Thought Leadership Strategy a Try
Have you ever experienced something and then someone just explained what happened and why?
Lincoln Center President Henry Timms, author of Understanding New Power, did that for me at the spring Women’s Leadership Board meeting at Harvard (via Zoom of course). Which highlights a great thought leadership strategy: explaining the experience.
Why this strategy works: We know we’re amid upheaval, but we don’t know what to do about it. When folks like Timms define the dynamic and put a structure around it, we feel safe. We feel like we know the terrain better, that we can navigate the new reality. This is true leadership.
We can apply this same thought leadership strategy to our prospects and clients. A good starting point: Define and describe things in a way no one else has thought of. Put a label on what’s happening. Compare and contrast the past vs. now. Then create a structure around the new reality. Answer the question: How do we navigate this? How do we thrive here?
Listen: Stand Out in a Sea of Definitions
In volatile times, people search for meaning and safety. They are looking for leadership. They want to understand what’s going on, and they don’t want to get hurt. We can tap into those primal needs when we define their experience. This is a great way to not only stand out, but also to give comfort where it’s most needed.
Now Read This:
- Why You Should Define Your Buyers’ Market
- Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road