Why thought leaders have the best career development plans

It’s a myth that women are becoming less ambitious.  If anything, women are more ambitious than before the pandemic and according to research flexibility is fuelling that ambition.  But despite being  as committed to our careers as the men, women are still underrepresented at every level.  The numbers of women sitting in the C suite is the highest it’s ever been but the disparity between male and female representation at middle and senior levels is still painfully large. 

Women are underrepresented in visible leadership roles, including thought leadership.  And thought leadership, although I am still undecided on how I feel about that term, is a powerful way to become known as a key voice or expert.  Thought leaders own their expertise, have the ability to influence within their sector or organisation.  By becoming a thought leader, more women can boost their career prospects and ascend the leadership ladder.

What is a thought leader?

A thought leader is someone who is recognised for expertise within their field.  Other people may go to them for guidance based on their knowledge, experience and understanding of their topic.  They are innovative and creative, often challenging the status quo and bringing new ideas to the fore.  They have increasing influence and lead change.

According to Wikipedia a thought leader is a “go-to expert'” and says “being a thought leader means to consistently answer the biggest questions on the minds of the target audience on a particular topic”. 

For some, the term thought leader is meaningless business jargon but for women who want to be recognised and valued in their careers it's a potent career development tool. 

Why should women consider being thought leaders

Think about the people you know who are leaders in their industry, leaders within your own organisation or people that you and others look up to.  The people who are well thought of,  invited to speak at events or contribute on important projects - they are all thought leaders.  They’re not shy about what they know, they're sharing it. 

And thought leadership isn’t just a way to get ahead in your own career, it's also a brilliant way to increase representation at every level. McKinsey's Women in the Workplace report 2023 found an underrepresentation in leadership during 2023, only 28% of C-suite positions are held by women. We also know that visibility boosts career progression. Personal branding and thought leadership activities can lead to increased promotion opportunities and recognition.  What if more women saw thought leadership as a key career building skill?

How can it help my career?

So how exactly does being a thought-leader positively impact your career? Let's look at the numbers;

More recognition - a report by PwC found that professionals who engage in thought leadership activities are 70% more likely to be noticed by senior management.

Increased leadership opportunities -  Women who position themselves as thought leaders are more likely to be considered for leadership. McKinsey data shows that visible women leaders are 1.5 times more likely to be promoted than their less visible counterparts.

A stronger personal brand - Forbes reports that women who boost their personal brand through thought leadership, see a 22% increase in career opportunities,

How do I become a Thought Leader

You don't need to be an expert in every area and you don’t need to know everything.  Let's accept that we’re all learning all the time.  If you wait until you think you know enough, the chances are you’ll never get started.

1. Where do you want to focus your efforts?  Where can you add unique value?  LinkedIn's Thought Leadership Impact Study showed that 58% of decision-makers say thought leadership led them to choose a specific company’s offerings.  The same applies to you in your workplace if you want your voice to stand out.

2. Start creating and sharing valuable content.  Women are often hesitant to speak up but sharing content builds credibility.  The Centre for Talent Innovation found that women who promote their accomplishments are 79% more likely to achieve career advancement.  How can you do this?  By writing posts and blogs on your area of expertise and sharing them on networking platforms like Linkedin and speaking at industry or work events.  Become known as someone who shares useful and interesting information.

3. Being heard in meetings is key.  Speaking up is crucial, yet studies reveal that women are interrupted more frequently in meetings than their male counterparts.  Think about opportunities to speak where it matters most.  And practice techniques to get your point across when sharing a room with more dominant personalities.  

4. None of this work happens in isolation - you need to build a network to help. Research from LeanIn.org shows that women with strong networks of mentors and sponsors are 20% more likely to achieve senior leadership positions.  Using your network to amplify your message and help share your expertise.

5. Find your industry/sector communities.  The global gender gap report by the World Economic Forum found that women who network in professional bodies/organisations are more likely to hold leadership roles and get recognition for thought leadership.  So find your industry groups and share your insights to expand your influence.

6. Consistency and authenticity are amplifiers.  Thought leaders are trusted because they are true to themselves.  If you want to build trust as a thought leader in your own right, focus on being genuine rather than imitating others.  Trust yourself and your expertise.  What’s important to you about the information you're sharing?  Don’t be afraid to share personal insights.  This will demonstrate that you have confidence in your own thoughts  and allow others to follow suit.  

7. Be open to feedback.  Feedback from colleagues and mentors will help you improve and grow your influence. Think about the people on your personal advisory board and be specific when asking for feedback.  Most importantly, implement the feedback that is useful and usable.

Finally think about the thought leaders you know, can you see all of the above points in action in their words and behaviours?  Brene Brown is a thought leader in the field of social work, courage, vulnerability and shame.  James Clear is a leading expert on habit formation and Gabor Mate is a thought leader in trauma and childhood development.  While you may not achieve their levels of notoriety, they have a few things in common; they all are well known for their subject matter, they publish and promote their thoughts and ideas around their topic and they own their opinions.  I’m not suggesting you need to go off and write a bestselling book or apply to do a TEDx talk but why not? They started out the same way you can, by speaking up.

Are you ready to establish yourself as a thought leader at work? Start by sharing your insights, building your network, and speaking up in key discussions.

If this is new ground for you or you’re not sure where to start, a career coach can help you identify your strengths and expertise.  They can also help you refine your objectives, hold you accountable, and steer you toward pivotal career shifts. If you’re interested in finding out more about how I could support you on your professional journey, book a free consultation today.