We all have the ingredients to establish ourselves as thought leaders. We develop unique perspectives based on our personal experiences, expertise, and values. These unique perspectives become thought leadership when they leave our minds in service of others.

The challenge is that we, too often, are not communicating our own thought leadership. We stop short, finding ourselves only thought sharing. We forward along someone else’s research, or click ‘like’ on another’s post. Maybe we recommend an author’s book. Yes, thought sharing is helpful and supports community-building. It’s also insufficient for growing a personal brand with intentionality.

Growing a brand requires differentiating yourself through your own thought leadership. Thought leadership requires two components:

1. An informed expression of an idea.

2. Communication of that idea to help others learn or explore the topic.

For example, an executive coach may be a thought leader on imposter syndrome. A life coach can be a thought leader on mindfulness practices. A wellness coach could be a thought leader on burnout. A mentor coach might be a thought leader on powerful questions. Thought leadership signals who you are, builds credibility, increases your reach, and helps attract what you want to attract.

Thought leadership, however, has no impact if it stays in your head. We can’t just think the thought. We have to communicate it. Numerous avenues exist for communicating your thought leadership: 

• Posting original content on LinkedIn or other social media.

• Adding your perspective to someone else’s post on LinkedIn or other social media.

• Keynote speaking.

• Teaching.

• Hosting webinars.

• Serving on panels.

• Interviewing on podcasts.

• Mentoring.

• Authoring books, chapters, articles, and blogs.

• Conducting research.

• Critiquing others’ books or research.

Are you thinking you may not be a thought leader? Maybe a touch of imposter syndrome or self-limiting belief is creeping in right about now? Consider the thoughts you have in your head, and in your heart, right now. Those thoughts are sources of thought leadership, if nurtured. For example:

• Have you ever had a strong reaction reading a book or reviewing research? That reaction is a point of view. That point of view is formed from your unique experiences, training, and perspectives. That point of view, if communicated, becomes your thought leadership.

• Do people come to you regularly for help with a particular type of goal? That goal is likely where your strengths as a coach are most valued. That value, if communicated, becomes your thought leadership.

• Are you known for helping others through a particular type of question? That question is perceived by others as your specialty. That specialty, if communicated, becomes your thought leadership.

• When you mentor, do you frequently hear, “Thank you. I never thought of it that way before.” Evidence shows your approach to unlocking insights works. That approach, if communicated, becomes your thought leadership.

The next time you’re tempted to like or share someone’s post, stop a moment and ask, “What is my point of view on this topic?”

Move beyond thought sharing. Signal your unique voice. Communicate your thought leadership.

This article first appeared at the International Coaching Federation. I thank Shubber Ali for first alerting me to our propensity to thought share.