What do you do if you want to enhance your thought leadership skills as a self-employed individual?

En el desarrollo del liderazgo intelectual, definir un nicho es solo el principio. Es fundamental establecer una presencia auténtica y coherente, interactuando significativamente con tu audiencia y otros líderes. La marca personal es clave, reflejando tus valores y visión profesional. Cada contenido y interacción fortalece esta marca, posicionándote como referente en tu área. Además, el aprendizaje continuo es vital; mantenerse actualizado con las últimas tendencias enriquece tu aporte y te prepara para debates enriquecedores. Estos elementos combinados potencian tu liderazgo, transformándote en un experto e innovador valioso para tu red.

You need practical experience and a clear expert profile to become a credible thought leader. So I recommend to find work as a consultant in the domain you want to become a thought leader and deeply understand the trend. Then start sharing your experience and grow your network to become known in the scene.

There are several ways to grow thought leadership skills as a self-employed person. Content underscores all of them. Here are a few starters: 1. Review your LinkedIn page to ensure it features the thought leadership experience you do have. This will ensure your profile portrays you as you wish to be seen moving forward (not back!) 2. If you find you're lacking in certain areas or topics, flex that muscle. Use your findings to identify the content you need to create. This can be in the form of original content (short articles and posts on your own page) as well as commenting and engaging with content others post. 3. Do this at least twice a week. Create original content, offer something helpful and ask a question.

If you do not have a website and a proper LinkedIn profile you are not existing as a thought leader. So establish your online presence early on and let people see you as thought leader when they engage you. It's all about perception.

Define a crisp statement that summarises your beliefs and picture of the future in your domain of expertise. This polarises but also creates credibility. Not everyone needs to agree with your vision, but they recognise your expertise.

Stay curious. The best thought leaders know that knowledge is infinite and there’s always something new to discover. Luckily, we live in the digital age and opportunities for growth are limitless. Companies like HubSpot and schools like Harvard, Cornell, and Stanford host a variety of free online certificates that you can take to advance your skills. Prefer video? YouTube is powerhouse for online learning content.