Here's how you can transition from being an expert to a thought leader.

Early in my career, I had this ILLUSION that being a thought leader meant being the smartest person in the room. Turns out, I was way off. - IMO, The real thought leaders are the ones who never stop asking questions and challenging the status quo. And it comes with practice. Btw, You know what is the biggest lesson I learned so far? Being REAL. Sharing my struggles and failures (like this one), not just my successes, turned out to be my key to connecting with people. Vulnerability, it turns out, is a strength, not a weakness - Trust me. 😉

An expert knows a lot about a particular subject. A thought leader knows how to express that expertise in a decisive, persuasive way to get others to follow on that way of thinking. You need to understand that it isn’t just about being “right” on an issue, but about delivering a sense of vision about where things are going. Earning recognition on stage, online, in media or attracting business partners are all ways to see if an expert has moved to being a real thought leader. People citing your opinions or views as a validator for their own point of view is another sign you have moved past general expert status.

Others being curious. I found people drawn to me constantly questioning status quo, and seeking my take on something different. That’s when I realised I had become a thought leader being sought out to share my thoughts. Sharing became a natural way of being and for me it brings much fulfilment. I don’t always have all the answers but I am always curious.

To move from being an expert to a thought leader, you need to have thoughts! Experts have knowledge, but may not be able to communicate that with precision or concision

Thought leadership is about openly sharing your expertise without looking for instant rewards. You want your community to enjoy, be educated and entertained by your content in various formats from a social post to a webinar. This generous sharing helps you build a reputation as a trusted expert and lays the groundwork for your thought leadership. Give, give, give first before you ask.

Writing a book is a great way to establish yourself as a thought leader, carve out your niche, and share your message with the world. It will help you get more visibility, increase your speaker fees, and become a focus for podcast hosts and journalists. A big part of that process is sharing. You need to offer information of value and have something to say that's unique or different. By digging deep on your unique message and sharing it with the world, you'll be well on your way to establishing yourself as a visionary thought leader.

Most people are afraid to share because they either think they are not good enough or they are afraid people will steal their ideas. Contrary to what we might think, when we share more the better insights we gain from it. Being a thought leader is about influencing the thinking of others so that they believe what you believe. To influence others, we need to share generously.

The key to transitioning from an expert to a thought leader is sharing your valuable expertise. Take time to craft content online detailing the things you've learned during your career, or commenting on things happening in the industry. Thought leadership is about offering your unique insights and taking the time to educate others using them.

You don't declare you are a thought leader. Other people will tell you wheter you are a thought leader. The best way is to gain as many followers as possible to believe what you believe. Engaging with others will allow you gain more followers and they will help you to validate your ideas. Doing it authentically means you don't have any agenda to sell them with certain things or even to gain anything in return.

1. Practice, experiment, and take risks. Effective leadership is relational and hands-on. Transitioning successfully involves continuous learning. Experiment with new approaches, contribute original ideas and influence others with your insights. 2. Here are four major steps to becoming a thought leader: Establish a professional baseline. Develop a strong working knowledge of your field and adjacent areas. Become an expert. Deepen your understanding of a narrow topic. Become a contributor. Add original ideas and research that expand the topic. Become an authority. Influence others’ thinking through your contributions. Remember, the journey from expert to thought leader is about growth, adaptability, and making a positive impact.