Thought Leader vs. Echo Chamber
I think a lot of people - and brands - come to LinkedIn to become Thought Leaders.
And I also think what most people experience here is an Echo Chamber.
Which means, there's something happening in the "training" that's teaching people to be cookie cutters instead of standing out.
Well folks, you're in luck. Because I just so happen to NOT believe in humans being cookie cutters. And in you embracing your unique strengths and stories to create Thought Leadership. Which makes me the BEST person to explain the difference between these two things, and what drives people - and companies - towards the latter.
Shall we begin with definitions? Ready to research, Perplexity.AI?
Definition of a Thought Leader
Straight from the "mouth" of my research assistant:
A thought leader is defined as an individual or organization recognized as an authority in a specific field, whose ideas and insights influence others, particularly within a business context. This concept encompasses experts who provide guidance and innovative perspectives, often becoming the go-to sources for information and inspiration in their areas of expertise.
And what are some of the key characteristics of Thought Leaders?
Expertise: Thought leaders possess deep knowledge and understanding of their subject matter, allowing them to offer unique insights and solutions that others may not provide.
Influence: Their ideas and opinions have a significant impact on peers, industry trends, and even broader societal issues, making them trusted voices in their fields.
Innovation: Thought leaders are often seen as pioneers who generate new ideas and challenge conventional thinking, encouraging others to explore new possibilities.
Communication: They effectively communicate their thoughts through various platforms, including public speaking, writing, and social media, which helps to establish their authority and reach.
Inspiration: Beyond merely sharing knowledge, thought leaders inspire others to take action and implement new ideas, fostering a community of forward-thinking individuals.
In summary, a thought leader is someone who not only EXCELS in their field but also ACTIVELY SHAPES THE DISCOURSE and direction of their industry through their innovative ideas and influence.
Ok, let's finish the definitions before we dive any deeper.
Definition of an Echo Chamber
An echo chamber is an environment or ecosystem in which participants encounter beliefs that amplify or reinforce their pre-existing views, while being insulated from opposing perspectives.
Key aspects of echo chambers include:
Closed System: Information and ideas circulate within a limited group, with little exposure to outside views.
Reinforcement: Existing beliefs are amplified through communication and repetition among like-minded individuals.
Lack of Rebuttal: Opposing viewpoints are rarely encountered or easily dismissed.
Polarization: Echo chambers may increase social and political polarization and extremism.
Online Prevalence: Social media and personalized algorithms can create digital echo chambers by limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.
In contrast to epistemic bubbles, which simply lack exposure to diverse views, echo chambers actively DISCREDIT outside sources.
Where Do YOU Want To Be?
Now, I would guess, based on the above definitions, that anyone reading this article would CHOOSE to go for Thought Leader vs. Echo Chamber. So, why is it so common for brand narratives to end up this way?
It's a lack of something...
A word I love to use...
It begins with an "I"...
INTENTION.
Lack of Intention in creating Thought Leadership.
You see, simply CREATING CONTENT doesn't make you a Thought Leader. Far from it, actually.
Creating content without intention can lead to becoming an Echo Chamber SUPER quickly.
You set up a Google Alert for things other people are talking about in your industry. Then you create some generic content that matches the key words. And you sound just like your competitors.
Hope you're good with always competing on price.
Copying ideas will always make you SECOND. And focusing on keywords will always put you in direct competition with the other people using those key words.
Sounds a lot like CHASING. Not Leading.
The INTENTION Behind Strong Thought Leadership
Ok, let's go back to what the research summarized for Thought Leaders.
First, let's assume that there's SOMETHING your company excels at; if there wasn't, you probably wouldn't be in business. But it's not enough JUST to excel at something.
Thought Leadership is based on "actively shaping the discourse of your industry".
Through ideas and influence.
So, what's YOUR idea?
And how are you creating conversation in your industry around that idea?
That's it, really.
It's about taking your stance.
And finding ways to STAND for it.
And yup, that means there will be people who DON'T like you.
Who won't buy your product or service.
But guess what?
The likelihood that those people were going to buy from you anyway is EXTREMELY remote. I mean, so remote that it's not worth your time to try to "convince" or "persuade" them.
Thoughts Attract, Echoes Repeat
Has anyone ever told you that a perspective you shared with them was refreshing?
That's what THOUGHTS do.
They introduce new thoughts to people.
ECHOES on the other hand DON'T introduce new thoughts.
They are inherently SAME.
Which means, you're already being compared to something.
Either something that person already new (old news).
Or someone else in your industry.
Either way, now your in the comparison game.
But with NEW THOUGHTS, you're always standing out.
And the cool things about YOUR thoughts?
No one else can think them.
They are uniquely yours.
And by sharing them with your industry, you create the opportunity for new ideas. Innovation. Improvement. Influence. And inspiration.
Sounds like Thought Leader category to me.
Becoming a Thought Leader
It's OK if you've found yourself in Echo Chamber territory. As outlined above, with algorithms running a lot of the show on social media, it's SUPER easy to get sucked in.
The first step to getting out?
Decide NOT to be an Echo.
That intention alone creates the space you need to explore your OWN thoughts.
And the next step is - obviously - sharing those thoughts with the world. And there are LOTS of ways to do that.
There's not one right platform. Or channel. Or tactic. Or strategy.
But there ARE ways that MATCH you and your brand.
So, find the ways where you can easily tell your story, and take your stand.
And invest in that.
And you'll be surprised at how quickly things can turn around.
Because, after all, MOST people are either silent or echoing here.
A bright light shines pretty bright ✨
Choose That 👆
And if you'd like support choosing that, let's chat!
