How many times have you watched a TED Talk and thought, “Wow, I can definitely relate.” What makes you connect with these individuals? It’s most likely their ability to come across as genuine. Honesty is one of the pillars of effective thought leadership that leads to trust and credibility.
These speakers are good storytellers, who openly share the ups and downs from across their career. This may include examples of failure or roadblocks that they’ve had to grapple with in ways that draws the audience in. They are not afraid to be vulnerable or show different aspects of their personality and life. “Failure stories” are often the most powerful means of sharing thought leadership as they are relatable and reveal the leader’s human side. By sharing information which speaks directly to the audience’s wants and needs, these leaders prompt a reaction such as, “I feel like ‘Jane’ is speaking to me personally.”
Honesty in thought leadership manifests itself in several ways including:
Authenticity
How you share your ideas through first person storytelling will communicate your genuineness and honesty. Start sentences with “I did”, “I experienced,” “I discovered.” Sharing ideas with courage and consistency will position you as authentic. Authenticity is more than what you say, it’s how you say it, including eye contact and body language, which should communicate warmth and sincerity.
Expertise
As an expert in a specific field or industry, you have detailed knowledge and experience that only you can explain and share. This is best expressed through the nuances and details you communicate about business – the highs and lows, successes and failures, and lessons learned that others can benefit from.
Audience Focus
Providing valuable content that addresses audience questions and needs is what connects you to your audience and forms a lasting bond. Experienced thought leaders will regularly survey their audience – either informally or formally on social media and other platforms – to better understand the issues and concerns they want to know more about. They share insights and information that will help the audience to grow and be successful.
Insightful analysis
One of the traits of honest thought leaders is insightful analysis of current and past business issues. People also love hearing about industry trends and what the future will look like as it helps them to plan and think ahead. As an expert, the ability to be predictive shows that you have your finger on the pulse of what’s happening now but also what’s bubbling up that people need to be aware of.
Personal Core Values
Honest thought leaders allow their personal core values to shine through everything they do. They have integrity and make a commitment to strong moral and ethical principles. This is demonstrated in their communication style and in the actions they take, especially in difficult situations.
Does your thought leadership come across as genuine?
