Krista Mashore, the founder and CEO of Krista Mashore Coaching, is an author and speaker who empowers coaches and entrepreneurs to grow. Recently, she discussed the concept of being a “thought leader” and the stages one must go through to become one. According to Mashore, a thought leader is someone who people pay attention to, even if they disagree with them. To reach this level, one must first become an expert in their industry or community, followed by positioning themselves as an authority and ultimately, developing a unique vision and innovative thinking.
To move from being an expert to a thought leader, Mashore offers some key advice. Firstly, individuals should not be afraid to go against the grain and embrace a contrarian mindset. She uses the example of Henry Ford, who introduced the 5-day workweek in 1926, despite conventional wisdom suggesting it would be unproductive. Ford’s willingness to challenge norms paid off, as his company flourished. Additionally, Mashore emphasizes the importance of seeing what others are missing within the industry and being able to identify overlooked opportunities or problems that could make a significant impact.
Furthermore, Mashore highlights the significance of being a great communicator in becoming a thought leader. Regardless of having brilliant ideas, individuals must be able to effectively communicate them in a way that resonates with their audience. Drawing from her own experience, Mashore shares that she was not a natural public speaker but worked on improving her communication skills by hiring speech coaches and accepting speaking engagements. Through consistent practice, she was able to enhance her speaking abilities and become a more impactful communicator.
In order to become a thought leader, Mashore advises individuals to ensure they are both experts and authorities in their field, regularly dedicate time for quality thinking, and focus on building strong communication skills. By challenging conventional thinking, identifying opportunities that others overlook, and improving communication abilities, individuals can position themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries. Mashore’s journey from a nervous public speaker to a confident presenter at large events serves as a testament to the importance of perseverance and continuous self-improvement in achieving thought leadership status. Ultimately, by following these steps and staying dedicated to personal growth, individuals may one day find themselves recognized as thought leaders by their peers and industry colleagues.
