Course Overview

The contemporary era of globalisation, newfound technologies, progressive industrialism and emerging economies presents a plethora of opportunities for corporations and entrepreneurs to profit. However, with pros comes to the cons and hence opportunities are often accompanied by unknown challenges. The dynamic business environment poses various threats that stand in the path of organizational growth and success. Maintaining a justified balance between tapping opportunities and combating threats, calls for a leader. In this context, often a thought leader who is recognised as an expert or authority in a specialised field.

What is meant by thought leadership?

A thought leader is an exemplary individual or firm of a particular field, whose expertise is actively sought. The leader provides guidance and unique insight which otherwise wouldn’t be found elsewhere easily. They possess opinions, competency and a knack for creative thinking. Thought leaders are hunted by growth-starved businesses for their valued expertise as bring forth points on the table that are often neglected by the ordinary eyes.

How to ensure thought leadership strategy aligns with corporate growth strategy? What are the steps that need to be undertaken while executing thought leadership? How does the thought leader differentiate itself from the competitor? How to develop a vision for future trends? How do drive positive outcomes from thought leadership? Thought leadership is not merely a corporate buzzword and cannot be created overnight. Building a reputation in any specific field takes time, hard work and patience. Market demands leaders who have exceptional observational skills and can derive information from credible sources are positioned well to generate innovative ideas for the business.

How do you develop thought leadership?

Zoe has introduced Thought Leadership Training for transforming leaders to the next level. Best practices followed around the globe are discussed to inculcate participants with advanced skills that will enable them to become top-notch thought leaders for their organisation. Training is packed with interactive exercises and real-life case studies that will develop the participants’ leadership acumen.

Course Objectives

Thought Leadership Training focuses on achieving the following objectives:

• To impart a proficient set of knowledge necessary to develop into a thought leader
• Highlight the relevance of thought leadership in establishing positioning within the firm
• Help in developing the personal brand and establish self-mastery
• Develop a preference for the brand in the market such that customers reach out to the firm for new prospects
• Learn from real case studies and apply proven models of asserting influence

Training Methodology

This collaborative Thought Leadership Training will comprise the following training methods:

• Interactive sessions and lectures
• Presentations
• Management games
• Roleplaying/modelling
• Case studies
• Group discussions
• Problem-solving sessions

Like all our acclaimed courses, this Zoe course also follows the ‘Do-Review-Learn-Apply’ model.

Organisational Benefits

Thought Leadership Training aims to benefit an organisation in the following ways:

• Timely identifying of opportunities and gaining first mover advantage in the market
• Effectively utilising research-backed expert advise
• Enhance sales prospects for the company by reaching out to customers through the provision of research content that would guide them and satisfy their inquisitive mind
• By becoming a thought leader, an organisation can enhance its brand awareness in the market and by positioning itself as a thought leader it can better public relations
• Being a thought leader requires publishing updated content that often attracts the attention of the top talents in the industry
• Thought leadership strengthens the brand of the firm which helps them gain a competitive advantage
• Less workplace stress through better relationship building

Personal Benefits

• Identifying area of interest and developing expertise
• Thought leaders are sought after by many companies hence gaining relevant skills helps them to enhance their career prospects
• Gain understanding of key differences between a leader and a thought leader
• Gain hands-on knowledge on creating a community around the innovative ideas
• Learn to identify and overcome obstacles that might be encountered in the way of becoming a successful thought leader
• Using acquired skills to keep up-to-date with the changing industry trends
• Enhanced self-awareness and improved emotional intelligence will aid in relationship building

Who Should Attend?

• General managers
• Departmental heads, project heads
• Strategic managers
• Senior officers, Executives
• Professional mentors and coaches
• Policymakers
• Start-up founders, entrepreneurs

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Thought Leadership

• Significance of thought leaders in the present scenario
• Meaning of thought leader
• Characteristics of a thought leader
• Individual as a thought leader
• Firm as a thought leader
• Emergence of thought leaders in the marketing domain

Module 2: Types of Thought Leadership

• Industry thought leadership
• Product thought leadership
• Organizational thought leadership

Module 3: Steps to Becoming Thought Leaders

• Passion as a driving force
• Testing of ideas and building influence
• Expanding influence by activating advocates
• Refine the know-how
• Auditing progress and evolve continuously

Module 4: Seven Rs of Thought Leadership

• Resonant
• Rare
• Road-mapped
• Robust
• Rounded
• Rooted
• Re-used

Module 5: Principles of Thought Leadership

• Authenticity
• Decision backed with data
• Explore using fresh thinking
• Broad approach
• Brand awareness
• Reputation, relationship, reward

Module 6: Approaches to Thought Leadership

• Human development approach
• Capability approach
• Entitlement approach
• Social choice approach

Module 7: Elements of the Thought Leadership Program

• Active publications and research
• Selling events
• Sales enablement tools
• Digital marketing
• Social media campaigns

Module 8: Developing Emotional Intelligence

• High self-awareness
• Becoming a good problem solver
• Self-regulation
• Self-motivation
• Empathy
• Developing interpersonal expertise

Module 9: Developing Dynamic and Innovative Capabilities

• Adapting to changing environment
• Addressing deep uncertainties
• Framing the problem
• Process of dynamic capabilities
• Implementation of disruptive innovations

Module 10: Building a Personal Brand

• Reputation management
• Relationship-building tools
• Five As of personal branding
• Criteria for personal brand

Module 11: Case of Famous Thought Leaders and their Styles

• Bill Gates: ‘Change the world or go home
• Steve Jobs: ‘Products before profits’
• Walt Disney: ‘Do what you love
• Warren Buffett: ‘hang out with people better than you