Questions and tips to help you develop your leader\'s voice.

1. How to
Become a
Thought Leader
Express Your
Leader’s Voice Through
Insight, Intention, Interact
ions and Influence
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

2. What is a thought leader?
 A thought leader is someone who…
 understands the potential of a great idea to
change the world,
 consciously shapes that idea to reach people’s
heads and hearts, and
 powerfully communicates that idea to make a
significant contribution.
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

3. How do you become a thought leader?
 You become a thought leader by expressing your
authentic leader’s voice – which means:
 developing your unique insight,
 setting your clear intention,
 engaging in quality interactions, and
 leveraging your personal influence.
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

4. Develop Your Unique Insight
 What do you see from
your singular
perspective that others
do not?
 What opportunities do
you believe are waiting
to be realized?
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

5. Insight Tips
Example
 Identify your three My expertise =
main areas of expertise
or interest Leadership
 Ask important
questions where the Communications Creative Process
areas overlap
 See if the answers lead
to a unique insight My question = How can leaders use words
to create worlds?
My insight = Leadership stories
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

6. Set Your Clear Intention
 Who do you want to
impact and/or
persuade with your
ideas?
 What real difference
will doing that make –
to them and to you?
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

7. Intention Tips
Persuasion Continuum
 Assess where your
audience is now
 Decide where you Advocacy
want them to be
Agreement
Awareness
 Shape your messages
to persuade them Apathy
intellectually and
emotionally
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

8. Engage in Quality Interactions
 How are you listening
so that you really
understand others?
 How are you speaking
so that others really
understand you?
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

9. Interaction Tips
Balancing Act
 Have a powerful story
to tell Speaking
Telling
 Master the art and Leading
craft of effective
oral and written
communications
Listening
 Welcome feedback – Asking
and use it wisely Following
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

10. Leverage Your Personal Influence
 Do people know who
you are – and not just
what your say?
 Are people following
you – and not just your
ideas?
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

11. Influence Tips
Circle of Influence
 Remember:
Ultimately, you are the ?
message
? ?
 Increase your influence
by walking your talk You
 Create synergy of your ? ?
values, voice and
vision ?
Cygnus Communications - November 2011

12. Cygnus Communications
Craft a New Story. Create a New World.
 Leadership
Communications
 Facilitation
 Coaching
 Consulting
Adrienne S. Harris
 Executive Writing 404-378-1788
harrisas@bellsouth.net
www.craftanewstory.com
Cygnus Communications - November 2011