Do you want to be a thought leader? Do you want to have an organization that innovates and influences? However, to be a thought leader, you first have to know your thoughts! I was talking to a leader yesterday, who recognized that he needs to slow down. He stated that the faster he goes the less effective he is becoming. I was also talking with another leader earlier in the week, who a year ago stated that he wanted to become a thought leader. He then made a conscious choice to value his time to think. Because of his dedication to this change, he is seeing himself become a thought leader and it is also having an impact on his organization.
To become a thought leader and innovator, it takes cultivating two skills in your life. I also believe these two skills can be developed in the culture of an organization. Let’s explore these together.
Mindset
The first skill, which lays the foundation, is a mindset of humility. I like to describe it as being child-like. Young children rest in their dependence on their parents. They feel safety in that dependence. As long as they are aware that their caregiver is around, they go forth in freedom and play. Humility is acknowledging and embracing that each of us is limited. No one person has all of the answers. We are not perfect. But in that limitation is a freedom to explore what is beyond us.
As leaders, we often accomplish and see success but then fall into a false reality. We think that it has all happened because of our own hard work. We then think we have the answers. We follow the success, strive to depend on our own abilities, and then end up just being busy. But are we really being effective? We have lost our humility.
Humility is something that must be maintained. Are you living in fear of the unknown – with work projects, career goals, your children’s choices…? Paradoxically, you may need to embrace your limitations to find freedom. In that freedom is where you will become a thought leader and innovator.
Practices
A mind set of humility then gives us the ability to engage in the following practices. These practices were discovered by a board in which I am a member, called Samuel’s Bridge. As we took time to be humble with each other, we became more authentic. This became a foundation to be able to engage in these practices as individuals and also with each other.
Waiting
Our culture does not like waiting. We want things quick and now. We are always in a rush to get to something in the future. The beauty of waiting is that it causes us to engage in the present. Sometimes the answers are right in front of us, but we are moving so fast that we don’t see them.
Listening
When we wait, we then have time to listen. To be a thought leader, you need time to think. You listen to yourself, to others, to the circumstances around you. A whole new perspective can open up, if you take the time to listen.
Hearing
Hearing is when the new idea emerges. It is the opportunity. It may be a revelation. It can be a truth that then gives clarity in the midst of everything that seemed foggy. You may be limited, but it is here that you know that you are part of something bigger.
Discerning
You may have a new idea or thought, but what are you suppose to do with it? This takes discernment. Is it something you are to act on immediately or wait? What is your motivation? Who needs to be included? What is the next step?
Sharing
This is when you share what you have discovered. This is when you engage in the act of being a thought leader and innovator. Your thoughts benefit others.
You will find that being a thought leader or innovator is a lifestyle. How each of these practices looks in real time will be unique to the individual or organization. Because humility leads to authenticity, you will be unique in your approach. But a great first step is to set aside reflective time. Reflective time gives us the space to think, feel and to be! You can explore waiting, listening, hearing, discerning and sharing. Who knows what great thought and innovation will emerge!