Speaking of inspiring! Thoughts to definitely ponder on, especially over the coming weeks, when you should be able to take time out to contemplate your navel… OK, well 2009 then.
And if you don’t think you can, then I suggest you work out how to… You will find additional reading for many of the points noted (italic’s for your searching pleasure!) by searching the blog content as well.

I’ve just borrowed Matt’s list because I like it, and it saves me having to construct one myself… leverage!

so… here’s this great list to start you on your way…
(thanks Matt)

With Christmas and the start to 2009 just around the corner, I wanted to leave you with my 21 tips on Thought Leadership, in no particular order.

1. Be inspired!
A fish rots from the head down. It’s impossible to engage people to your great ideas if you are not turned on. Manage your state so that you choose to be the energetic leader in all things you do.

2. Be a Thought Leader!
A Thought Leader helps people to see information or data in a way that is engaging compelling and meaningful. Put effort into explaining ideas to others so they want to entertain change!

3. Discover genius in the gaps!
You have to take time to think. Innovation is a challenge when you brain is full of ‘busy’ness. Nearly all great innovations and thoughts have happened in the gaps between doing. So take a walk, have a break, stare out a window.

4. Listen in layers!
All ideas and thinking can be divided into 3 layers, the content (detail) of the idea, the concept (purpose) of the idea and the context (big picture) of the idea. Listen to ideas and ensure you have the detail, the purpose and the big picture aligned.

5. Develop a bias for action!
Ideas, innovations and Thought Leadership can lead to a lot of talk. Get active. Ask at each stage ‘How does this advance this project?’

6. Learn as a teacher!
The quickest way to learn is to approach everything from the mindset of ‘How would I teach this to someone else?’

7. Eliminate the competition!
Small minds see competition, great minds see collaboration. Look for complimentary alliances with those who at first glance you see as competitors.

8. Think like a futurist!
Craig Rispin author of Think like a futurist suggests that we can all develop the skill of foresight. See the patterns in trends and activities and learn to be ahead of the curve.

9. Channel Surf!
People listen, learn ,engage and make decisions through thinking preferences. Understand your personal bias and learn to flex your communication so that more people get more of what you say more of the time.

10. 100% out 80% ready!
A perfection mindset prevents us from taking productive action. Today the ability to bring your ideas to fruition is key to moving from simple creativity to effective innovation. Read David Allens Get More Done.

11. Fail Fast!
Sometimes a great idea that fails is the stepping stone to a brilliant idea that flys. Be ready to quit on the ideas that don’t work. Read Seth Godins book The Big Dip.

12. There is no wisdom in crowds!
Try to look for ways in which you may be blanding your idea by trying to make them popular. Read Peter Sheahans book FLIP .

13. Play to your strengths!
There is an effortlessness to working the way that works for you. Discover your strengths and use them for the good of the team. Read Strengths Finder by Tim Rath

14. Be a Cosmonaught!
Peter Ellyard’s book Cowboys to cosmonaughts outlines the key to modern day collaboration. Cowboys are admired for their rugged individualism but a Cosmonaught achieves so much more by working with teams of brilliant specialists.

15. Run MAP sessions weekly!
Don’t play to the weakest link in your team. Have weekly meetings where people review what they said they would do and whether they have or have not. As each week rolls by those who do do, those who don’t resign. You need to participate in this equally that’s why it’s are called a Mutual Accountability Project Meeting.

16. Develop clear intentions!
You may not always have clarity about what to do next, but you can always have certainty. One is powered the INTENT and a sense of what you want to achieve. The rest is detail. With clear INTENT you can always make better decisions.

17. Create value or don’t create!
If you are continuously asking the question ‘How does this add value to some one else?’ your ideas will always be relevant and profitable. Don’t create cures for diseases that don’t exist. Innovation is not about cool ideas, its about ideas that are profitable.

18. Be a YES But, YES and person!
Advances in idea exist in two domains the contribution to an existing idea or the contradiction. Build your ideas on the shoulders of giants.

19. Give it away!
One of the most empowering mindsets for creativity is to imagine you gave away your core business for free. How would you then make money. This ground zero thinking forces innovation.

20. Lead, follow or get out of the way!
A leader has three imperatives: one, turn fear into confidence; two, create clarity from confusion; three, mobilise others to get things done.

21. Attend the Thought Leaders Annual Conference
Join like minded individuals at the phenomenal Annual Conference on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 February 2009 where the community of Thought Leaders will come together to create Better Thinking, Better Business and a Better World.

Matt Church
thought leaders

Pin It on Pinterest