Written by: Vickie Sullivan | August 01, 2019
The Power of On-the-Ground Perspective
By the time you read this, I’ve checked a box off of the bucket list: hiking The Narrows at Zion National Park. What I learned about myself: The more I prepare, the less nervous I am when in uncharted territory.
That is why this helpful blog post about hiking The Narrows really made a difference. It also inspired a bigger question: How can thought leaders put their direct experience to the best (and strategic) use? Let’s move past the topic and drill down on the power of the on-the-ground perspective. What thought leaders can copy:
• The focus. Being my first hike through water, I had no idea what to expect. The author played the role of navigator by paying attention to what was important but easily missed. Examples: best time, water flow. This heads-up was invaluable. Ask yourself: Based on your experience, what became important? What could be missed at 30,000 feet?
Listen: Two Things that Make Your Perspective the Most Valuable
• The benchmarks. It’s one thing to know what’s important. But that knowledge isn’t enough. The author became an interpreter by providing specific standards. Again, a great example is the water flow. I had no clue about the difference between 50 and 100 cfs. Without that information, I would have no idea how to interpret the information from the park rangers. The data would’ve been useless. Ask yourself: How can I help interpret the information (or situation)? What is a green light and what is a caution sign?
A lot of us use personal experiences to tell stories. Fair enough. You can also use your on-the-ground perspective to establish your role in the marketplace. And demonstrating the part you play is a great way to make your content marketing more strategic and effective.
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