I keep hearing the term "thought leader". What qualities make a business person

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   ChristyWritesposted 11 years ago

   I keep hearing the term "thought leader". What qualities make a business person a thought leader?
   
   I would love to hear your opinions. Are there certain skills, ways of looking at the world...? How do you process the term "thought leader"?

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   windygreenposted 11 years ago

   Ummm.  ....  This is a guess...  A thought leader is one who directs the thoughts of others.   Can sway opinions, cause others to see things a certain way.   Motivates people mentally toward dedication to a task.   Like I said just a guess, but there you have it.

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      ChristyWritesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting windygreen. I believe a thought leader is more a leader in the business sense, leading the way etc. Feel free to read the other answers here too. Thank-you for your input.

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   Dennis AuBuchonposted 11 years ago

   The use of the term thought leader is a concept I have not heard before.  I believe a thought leader is like any leader.  They have ideas and can convince others they are worth utilizing.  Leaders do not need to be individuals in management but anyone who has suggestions or ideas associated with the organization for which they work.
   
   Today in some cases management doe not either listen or ask enough of individuals who are involved in an activity to which they have answers.  Organizations that involve they employee base tend to succeed as they are making them feel a part of the organization and that they have something good to say.
   
   Great question.

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      ChristyWritesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Great point about management involving employees. Listening is key! Thanks Dennis, I am learning a lot from the answers here.

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   rfmoranposted 11 years ago

   I think that a "thought leader" is called that by a journalist because the writer agrees with the person's viewpoint, hence thought leader. Occasionally it is objective, as used on someone like the late Steve Jobs, but in the political realm it's just a writer's way of enlisting allies for him or herself.

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      ChristyWritesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting perspective rfmoran - thanks for such a thought-provoking answer!

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   Paul Maplesdenposted 11 years ago

   Thought Leaders share some common traits, they are generally:
   
   - Highly visible
   - Well thought of in their fields of expertise
   - Articulate in expressing their opinions
   - Good at creating innovative approaches to business and problems
   
   Essentially, a thought-leader is able to create new solutions and better ways of doing things. As an example, you could say that Jeff Bezos (CEO of Amazon) is a thought-leader as he had a vision twelve years ago that online retailing would be huge and started the website that we all use.
   
   It is becoming an increasingly popular term. If you're interested in finding out more, I recently wrote a hub listing some great business podcasts where thought leaders share their views.
   
   Another great place to hear this sort of thing is TED Talks, especially the Simon Sinek one on Leadership.

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      ChristyWritesposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree Paul that Ted Talks is a great source of inspiration. You are right that these people are highly regarded by their peers. Thanks for the insights!

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