Leveraging Thought Leadership

How do you turn ideas into impact and expertise into action? On this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick speaks with Dre Baldwin, Founder and CEO of Work on Your Game. Dre is a four-time TEDx speaker and author of 35 books, including "The Third Day: The Decision that Separates The Pros from the Amateurs" and the creator of the Work on Your Game framework. Together, they unpack the critical role frameworks play in scaling ideas and ensuring consistency. Dre shares how frameworks act as guardrails, anchoring your principles and making your work repeatable and impactful across topics and audiences. Dre emphasizes the power of mindset as the foundation for success. A shift in thinking sparks changes in actions, which in turn drive outcomes. Skipping this sequence leads to frustration, wasted resources, and unmet goals. Whether you're an athlete or an entrepreneur, Dre insists the process starts in your head. From there, strategies and systems create a path for repeatable success. Systems aren't just efficient—they're liberating. Build it once, and you can focus on execution and innovation. Dre's own journey began with a realization: the clock on a professional basketball career runs out fast. Embracing his inner tech enthusiast, Dre leveraged the internet to bypass gatekeepers and build his brand. Blogging, YouTube, and podcasting became his tools to connect directly with an audience eager for his insights. His approach? Show up consistently and deliver value based on real-time audience needs. It's a formula he's honed into a repeatable system, and it's working. Writing 35 books might seem Herculean, but Dre demystifies it with a system that maximizes today's tech. From dictation to transcription, he's found ways to streamline the creative process while staying true to his ideas. The tools evolve, but the challenge remains the same: having something meaningful to say and a receptive audience. For Dre, systems make the execution scalable—but only if you start with a strong mindset and clear strategy. Three Key Takeaways: • Frameworks Anchor Success: A strong framework acts as a guide, keeping your work aligned with your principles and making it repeatable. It ensures consistency and clarity across topics and audiences, which is essential for scaling impact. • Mindset Drives Results: Change starts in your mind. Adjusting your thinking leads to better actions, which then create meaningful outcomes. Skipping the mindset step results in frustration and wasted effort. • Systems Simplify and Scale: Whether writing books or building a business, systems are the key to efficiency. Once a system is in place, you can focus on execution and innovation, letting the process do the heavy lifting. Dre does a great job of illustrating why changing mindset is so important to creating long lasting impact. For additional information on Changing Mindset and Building Skills take a look at this article by Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick.

What if publishing your book was as simple as answering a few questions? This week, Peter Winick speaks with Dan Curran, a serial entrepreneur and innovator who is transforming the publishing industry with Chapters.io, a groundbreaking platform designed to make writing a book accessible and efficient for first-time authors. He's also the author of the upcoming book Chaos is a Ladder, bringing a wealth of insight from his extensive experience in editorial content and marketing. The guest shares his journey through healthcare, pharma, and life sciences, writing technical content requiring precision and integrity. For years, he sought a way to revolutionize publishing but couldn't see the right opportunity—until the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. Recognizing AI's potential to organize and structure content, he and his team reimagined how non-fiction books could be created, merging cutting-edge technology with traditional editorial expertise. Chapters is tailored for first-time authors—professionals with wisdom or unique perspectives but unsure how to navigate the challenging publishing landscape. The platform begins with simple, AI-driven questions: What's your topic? Who's your audience? What tone fits your message? These answers quickly generate 5,000 to 20,000 words of raw material. Editors then refine the draft, turning conversations into polished manuscripts. The system integrates your existing content—blogs, podcasts, or presentations—while maintaining a closed environment to ensure the work remains entirely yours. What sets Chapters apart is its human touch. Every project is paired with a best-selling editor who provides insight, asks follow-up questions, and ensures your story shines. This blend of AI efficiency and editorial expertise turns the daunting process of writing a book into an approachable, streamlined experience. Three Key Takeaways: • Chapters.io makes publishing accessible: By combining AI-driven tools with human editorial expertise, it simplifies the process for first-time authors, turning conversations into compelling manuscripts. • AI as a powerful organizational tool: The platform leverages AI to structure content, ask tailored questions, and fill in gaps, making it easier to generate high-quality material efficiently. • Human touch remains vital: Every project is supported by a best-selling editor who ensures the final product is polished, personalized, and impactful. This blend of technology and expertise redefines the book-writing journey. Dan is disrupting the publishing industry and he isn't the only one. If you want to learn more about what Thought Leaders should know about the changing publishing landscape check out this video from Peter Winick.

How do you turn decades of expertise into a scalable thought leadership business? Ruth King, known as the Profit & Wealth Guru, shares her journey from one-on-one financial coaching to becoming a best-selling author and AI innovator. She began by helping small businesses demystify their financial statements, but quickly realized her reach was limited. Writing books became the answer. Her first book, "The Ugly Truth about Small Business: 50 (Never-Saw-It-Coming) Things That Can Go Wrong...and What You Can Do about It," featured lessons from 50 entrepreneurs, offering readers practical insights into navigating difficult challenges.. It struck a chord, leading to a series of books that continue to impact readers globally. Publishing was just the start. Ruth took her ideas to a wider audience by leveraging TV, radio, newsletters, and now podcasts. Weekly newsletters since the '90s have built her credibility, while speaking engagements and media appearances have kept her message evergreen. Her approach is simple: stories over statistics. Sharing real-life examples from her clients makes complex financial principles relatable and memorable, ensuring her audience stays engaged. As technology advanced, Ruth embraced AI to scale her impact. Recognizing its potential during a Mastermind session, she and her team developed a groundbreaking AI tool to simplify and analyze messy small business balance sheets. Rooted in her decades of expertise, this tool standardizes processes and delivers insights at scale—no Zoom required. It's a game-changer for small businesses seeking clarity and growth. Ruth's next move is clear: scale the AI solution by partnering with professionals who serve small businesses. Accountants, CPAs, and referral partners are already helping bring her vision to life. For Ruth, it's not just about the numbers; it's about empowering entrepreneurs to grow profitably, build wealth, and create lasting success. Three Key Takeaways: • Stories Simplify Complexity: Ruth King's success lies in using real-life client stories to make financial principles accessible and memorable, demonstrating the power of storytelling in thought leadership. • Scaling Expertise Through AI: By embedding her decades of knowledge into an AI tool, Ruth has transformed her expertise into a scalable solution that helps small businesses make sense of their financials without needing her direct involvement. • Long-Term PR is Essential: Thought leadership isn't a one-and-done effort. Ruth's ongoing use of newsletters, speaking engagements, and media appearances ensures her message remains relevant and her audience continues to grow. Ruth understands that to have maximum impact you have to be able to go to scale. If you want to learn more about "Scaling You" check out this video by Leveraging Thought Leadership CEO Peter Winick.

What if the key to saving the planet wasn't more regulations or money, but a new kind of leadership? Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre and author of "Sustainable Sustainability: Why ESG is Not Enough" and "Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders: The Three Essential Principles You Need to Become an Extraordinary Leader", joins Bill Sherman on Leveraging Thought Leadership to discuss how his career pivoted from financial services to championing climate responsibility and social sustainability. He shares how a career in HR and leadership development revealed the limits of conventional approaches and sparked his passion for Steward Leadership—a model built on purpose, values, and a long-term perspective. Rajeev's research into over 100 global companies found a surprising pattern. Organizations thriving while solving environmental and social challenges weren't driven by financial incentives or regulations. Instead, they were guided by a values-based approach rooted in independence, long-term thinking, ownership of today's challenges, and creative resilience. These principles formed the backbone of the Steward Leadership model, a framework that marries purpose with profitability and proves businesses can do well by doing good. Spreading this message has been both strategic and successful. Rajeev's team collaborates with governments, business schools, and agencies worldwide to promote Steward Leadership. By showcasing companies with decades-long track records of balancing profit with purpose, they've captured attention and inspired action. Leaders are drawn to the idea that societal impact and business success are not in conflict but can amplify each other. Rajeev's vision for the future is bold yet focused. By influencing just 20% of the leaders they reach, the Stewardship Asia Centre aims to create a ripple effect powerful enough to drive global change. With a clear-eyed embrace of the 80/20 rule, Rajeev is betting that a minority of committed leaders, armed with the right values, can shift the trajectory of businesses—and the world. Three Key Takeaways: • Leadership, Not Incentives, Drives Sustainability: Successful companies solving environmental and social challenges aren't motivated by regulations or financial incentives. Instead, they operate from a values-driven leadership model rooted in purpose, long-term thinking, and a commitment to societal impact. • The Four Pillars of Steward Leadership: The Steward Leadership model is built on four principles: independence (the belief that helping society benefits business), long-term thinking (beyond quarterly gains), ownership of challenges (profit while solving problems), and creative resilience (innovating to address global issues). • The 20% Ripple Effect: Rajeev's strategy focuses on influencing just 20% of leaders touched by his work. Leveraging the 80/20 rule, he believes this minority of purpose-driven leaders can create a powerful ripple effect, transforming businesses and society for the better. Rajeev not only understands what type of leaders we need, but he knows how to find them. As a thought leader can you clearly describe your ideal client? If you're not sure make sure to read this article by Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick for tips on getting a clear picture.

What happens when you mix radical candor with thought leadership? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Kim Scott, author of "Radical Candor" and "Radical Respect" to explore how leaders can communicate effectively, especially when giving tough feedback. They discuss the importance of honesty, compassion, and clarity in leadership communication, showing how these principles can strengthen relationships and drive results. Kim shares her insights on creating a culture of trust and transparency within organizations. She emphasizes that when leaders genuinely care about their team members, their feedback becomes a tool for growth, not criticism. Through real-world examples, Peter and Kim illustrate how radical candor isn't just about being direct—it's about balancing empathy with honesty to unlock true potential. The conversation dives deep into the challenges leaders face when giving feedback, especially in high-pressure situations. Kim highlights the power of giving both praise and constructive criticism in a way that motivates and encourages continuous improvement. Peter and Kim also explore the nuances of how feedback can be tailored to different personalities, making it more effective and impactful. If you're looking to elevate your leadership communication and build stronger teams, this episode offers actionable insights. Kim's advice is clear: to lead effectively, you must care deeply, speak honestly, and encourage your people to grow without fear of failure. A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership style. Three Key Takeaways: • Balancing Care with Candor: Leaders achieve greater impact when they provide honest feedback with empathy. This mix of care and candor builds trust and encourages open communication within teams. • Authentic Relationships Drive Success: Authenticity isn't optional. Leaders who connect genuinely with their teams—seeing them as people, not just employees—create an environment where trust and motivation thrive. • Results and Relationships Are Partners: Effective leaders focus on both outcomes and relationships. By fostering a culture of accountability and respect, leaders help their teams excel and feel valued. Entering the world of thought leadership without a strategy and finding success like Kim did isn't common. Check out this article by Leveraging Thought Leadership CEO Peter Winick for tips on getting your strategy, tactics, and goals aligned early!

What drives someone to write a book that is both hard to create and has a deep impact? For Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits and author of Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve, it was a blend of personal experience and a dedication to help veterans understand and claim their benefits. Lawrence's career in public administration gave him first hand insight into veterans' needs. From managing government responsibilities to engaging directly with veterans, he saw the gap between the benefits available and the information veterans had access to. This realization fueled his decision to write a book that's accessible, concise, and targeted to help 90% of veterans navigate their benefits with ease. Creating a straightforward guide for veterans wasn't simple. Lawrence focused on breaking down complex government processes into easy-to-understand language, with actionable steps veterans could take immediately. By simplifying the typical benefit journey for most veterans, he created a tool that addressed the most common needs without overloading readers with unnecessary details. This clarity made his book not just popular but also essential for the very people he aimed to serve. Lawrence's time in office revealed another key insight: veterans want fast, actionable answers. During his tenure, he regularly met with veterans, both in person and through massive virtual town halls reaching up to 5.7 million individuals nationwide. By actively listening to veterans' questions and frustrations, he fine-tuned his approach, ensuring his message resonated at both individual and large-scale levels. This commitment to direct communication shaped his book's impact and expanded his reach far beyond traditional avenues. The success of his book has inspired Lawrence to think bigger. He's now exploring veteran employment, seeing a critical need for more research and resources in this area. With the increasing numbers of veterans out of the labor force, Lawrence wants to understand and address this trend. He's considering a follow-up that could dive deeper into solutions for veteran employment challenges—a topic he believes might resonate even more widely. Three Key Takeaways: • Simplifying Complexity: Lawrence's book translates complex government processes into accessible, action-oriented information that 90% of veterans can use. His goal was to cut through bureaucratic jargon, making benefits understandable and actionable for veterans. • Listening to Needs: Through direct interactions, both in person and virtually, Lawrence learned that veterans prioritize quick, clear answers. His approach to outreach—whether at VFW halls or in large-scale virtual town halls—helped him fine-tune his messaging and address veterans' most pressing questions. • Expanding Impact: Beyond benefits, Lawrence is shifting his focus toward veteran employment, recognizing a gap in support. By researching why many veterans are leaving the labor force, he aims to create resources and solutions for this underserved area.

What's the role of spirit in a world driven by bottom lines and business metrics? Today, Peter Winick sits down with Rusty Rueff, an accomplished investor, startup advisor, Co-Founder and Director at Alioth Talent and previously served under President Obama on his advisory committee for the Arts at the Kennedy Center, to discuss the crucial intersection of purpose and the workplace. Rueff, who has dedicated his career to empowering organizations and people, shares his belief that modern workplaces must recognize the holistic needs of their people—including the often-overlooked need for spiritual fulfillment. Historically, work and personal lives were siloed. But today, companies are embracing the importance of physical and mental well-being, with gyms, wellness programs, and mental health support. Rueff believes the next frontier is integrating "spirit" into the workplace—not in a religious sense, but as a core part of personal meaning and motivation. Companies should aim to foster environments where employees feel committed, not just compliant. But how can companies approach this without stepping into sensitive territory? Rueff advocates for open forums and inclusive resource groups that give employees a safe space to bring their full selves to work. By creating these avenues, organizations enable connection and belonging, helping employees build resilience, passion, and purpose. Rueff's latest book, The Faith Code: A Future-Proof Framework for a Life of Meaning and Impact, asks readers to explore their foundational beliefs. He challenges listeners to reflect on the "platform of their lives" and what they cherish most deeply. As he explains, while our bodies and minds may wane over time, our spirits have the power to grow stronger—right until the end. Three Key Takeaways: • The Spirit in the Workplace: Beyond physical and mental health, organizations should support employees' spiritual well-being, fostering commitment and purpose rather than mere compliance. • Inclusive Spaces for Authenticity: To empower employees to bring their whole selves to work, companies should create open forums and resource groups that celebrate diverse backgrounds and interests, cultivating belonging and connection. • Reflecting on Life's Platform: Rueff's concept of the "platform of life" challenges individuals to identify what truly matters and holds lasting value. While physical and mental capacities may fade, nurturing the spirit can build resilience and strength that endures. Rusty is changing lives by getting people to ask the right questions about their life. When it comes to Thought Leadership are you asking the right questions? Take a moment to check out this article by Peter Winick on Starting with the Problem, Not the Solution. It can make a huge difference in your work!

What makes some people bounce back from adversity while others remain stuck? In this compelling episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick welcomes resilience expert Deborah Gilboa. An author and consultant, Deborah helps organizations navigate change with confidence and competence. Her book, From Stressed to Resilient: The Guide to Handle More and Feel It Less, serves as a roadmap for individuals and teams seeking to enhance their resilience. Deborah's journey to thought leadership is as unconventional as her path to medicine. Initially pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a career in theater, she pivoted to medical school, where she spent years treating patients. Observing the stark differences in how individuals responded to illness prompted her to delve into the concept of "Patient Resilience." She aimed to redefine resilience beyond severe cases, exploring its application in everyday lives and discovering whether it can be cultivated. Transitioning from a practicing doctor to a thought leader began when Deborah was asked to speak about parenting at community events. What started as a way to connect with underserved populations evolved into a mission to educate parents, educators, and coaches about fostering resilience. As the inquiries grew, so did her focus on adult resilience, leading her to investigate effective methods for teaching these essential skills to adults facing their struggles. Deborah's business model centers on writing and speaking engagements. Recognizing the need for a platform, she built her online presence and leveraged her speaking skills to gain credibility. Companies often approach her to address change resistance within their teams. Through tailored workshops and a "Change Resistant Exam," she equips leadership with the tools to facilitate smoother transitions, ultimately fostering a culture of adaptability. Deborah's insights are vital for any organization looking to thrive in a rapidly changing environment. Three Key Takeaways: • Resilience is Learnable: Deborah emphasizes that resilience is not merely an innate trait; it can be cultivated and developed over time. Understanding what contributes to resilience can empower individuals and organizations to enhance their ability to navigate challenges. • Effective Communication is Crucial in Change Management: Organizations often struggle with change due to a lack of understanding of the natural resistance employees exhibit. Deborah teaches leaders how to communicate effectively about changes, ensuring that expectations are clear and that employees feel supported throughout the transition. • Speaking Engagements as a Gateway: Deborah's journey into thought leadership illustrates the power of speaking engagements. They serve as an entry point for organizations to experience her insights firsthand, ultimately leading to longer-term consulting relationships focused on building a resilient workforce. Doborah shares her journey of learning the need for a strong platform to leverage her skills and show credibility. If you are struggling to build your platform we can help! Contact the Thought Leadership Leverage team about a strategy session to take your first steps.

How do you cut through the noise to get to what truly matters? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman dives into this question with Ann Latham, the mind behind The Power of Clarity and The Disconnect Principle. Ann's journey to clarity began when she asked former bosses and colleagues a surprising question: What do I do best? The answer was clear—she had an uncanny ability to sift through information, distill its essence, and align teams with actionable plans. So began her consulting journey and the creation of Uncommon Clarity. Ann quickly realized that "clarity" could be a hard sell—it's an abstract concept people often overlook. To bridge this gap, she started showing how clarity impacts concrete outcomes: higher productivity, greater confidence, fewer mistakes, and optimized potential. Through strategic planning, process improvement, and team alignment, she began weaving clarity into the DNA of organizations. As her consulting grew, so did her focus on teaching others to achieve clarity themselves. She moved beyond providing solutions, empowering her clients to own the process. Now, as a writer and speaker, Ann is on a mission to make clarity a universal skill, publishing books and giving TED Talks to illuminate this essential but elusive concept. Her insights aren't just techniques; they're catalysts for meaningful change in any organization. Three Key Takeaways: • Clarity Drives Results: Ann emphasizes that clarity isn't just a buzzword—it's a strategic asset that boosts productivity, confidence, and team effectiveness. • Clarity as a Teachable Skill: Beyond solving problems for clients, Ann has developed ways to teach organizations how to cultivate clarity themselves, making it a sustainable part of their culture. • Practical Clarity Spectrum: To tackle the vagueness around clarity, Ann developed a spectrum that defines specific elements needed to reach clear, actionable outcomes, making it easier for teams to get aligned and achieve their goals. Peter Winick, the CEO and Founder of Thought Leadership Leverage, like Ann, often helps his clients find clarity in their work. Check out this article by Peter on Clarity for Priorities.

How do you turn a passion for nonprofits into a thriving business? Dr. Sharon Elefant, Founder & CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, joins us to share her remarkable journey. Initially aiming to become a hospital administrator, Sharon found herself running outreach programs for the VA health system across Southern California and Nevada. This exposed her to the world of nonprofits and strategic partnerships, which quickly became her passion. As she deepened her involvement with nonprofits, Sharon realized she had a unique skill: she could connect these organizations with the exact resources they needed. Her growing reputation as "The Plug" for nonprofit solutions laid the groundwork for a full-time consulting business. Turning her passion into profit was the next challenge. Sharon describes how she evolved from a free resource into a paid expert. At first, she was providing advice and making introductions for free. But as she took on more complex tasks like grant writing and strategic development, her value became undeniable. Nonprofits trusted her expertise and were willing to pay for her to take on the heavy lifting. What began as offering helpful tips turned into thought leadership, with Sharon producing content, guides, and resources that established her as the go-to person in her field. Her knowledge wasn't just in demand—it became a business. Today, The Nonprofit Plug offers a range of services to meet the diverse needs of nonprofit organizations. Sharon talks about how she structured her offerings into packages that include everything from grant writers to consultants and coaches, covering every aspect of nonprofit management. She introduced a new program that provides all-inclusive support for an entire year, helping nonprofits hit the ground running in the first 90 days. This package model offers a clear cost-saving advantage compared to hiring individual experts. It's all about providing comprehensive, long-term value at an accessible price. Sharon also offers valuable advice for thought leaders and entrepreneurs trying to break into the space. Her recommendation? Start small but consistent. Posting daily tips on social media—short, digestible clips that share valuable insights—can go a long way. She suggests recording a few tips in one sitting and rolling them out over time, so it's manageable and cost-effective. But building a brand takes patience. She advises giving it at least three to five years before deciding if your business has the momentum to sustain itself. And don't rush to leave your day job—wait until your venture is fully capable of supporting both you and your business. Dr. Sharon Elefant's story is a testament to the power of relationships, expertise, and thought leadership in building a successful business. Three Key Takeaways: • Turn Expertise into Revenue: Dr. Sharon Elefant transformed her deep knowledge of nonprofits and networking skills into a thriving business by offering grant writing, consulting, and administrative services that nonprofits were willing to pay for, rather than struggling to do it themselves. • Package Value for Impact: The Nonprofit Plug offers bundled services—grant writers, consultants, and expert coaching—allowing nonprofits to get immediate results and long-term support at a cost-effective price, demonstrating the importance of scalable, value-driven offerings. • Consistency Builds Thought Leadership: Sharon's advice to emerging thought leaders is to start small and be consistent, using platforms like social media to post daily tips. Success doesn't happen overnight, but with a long-term vision and patience, expertise can grow into a profitable venture. Sharon has spent years working to become the Plug for the nonprofit industry. Here are 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry according to Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.

How do you balance being a practitioner and an academic? In this episode, Bill Sherman talks with Dr. Robert Gordon, interim department chair for analytics, economics, and finance at American Public University about his unique journey from the world of cruise ships and supply chain to academia, research, and thought leadership. Robert shares his experience moving from practitioner to academic, and now returning to bridge the gap between the two. His expertise in supply chain management, particularly in the maritime and cruise industries, provided the foundation for a shift into research and publishing that impacted both academia and industry. Robert's research on virtual teams and complexity theory was initially seen as niche, but when the pandemic hit, his work became highly relevant. The shift to remote work made his insights on virtual teams essential reading. He highlights the importance of staying connected to practitioners through conversations and continuous publishing to keep his research relevant. Robert's story is a reminder that thought leadership is not a static process. It's about continually evolving, reflecting, and bridging the gap between theory and practice. Three Key Takeaways: • Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry: Robert Gordon emphasizes the importance of staying connected to practitioners while conducting academic research, ensuring his work remains relevant and actionable in real-world settings. • The Power of Reflection in Thought Leadership: Robert highlights how reflecting on past work is crucial for growth, allowing him to evolve his ideas, improve his writing, and adapt to the changing needs of his audience. • Virtual Teams and Complexity Theory Gaining Relevance: What was once considered niche research became vital during the pandemic, as organizations around the world shifted to remote work, validating the importance of anticipating future trends in research. Robert knows the importance of academic research to practitioners. In this video Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick explains how you can use academic research to build your thought leadership platform!

What does it take to grab your audience's attention in the first few seconds? Bill Sherman explores the art of pitching with Joanne Tombrakos, storyteller, marketing strategist, NYU professor, podcaster and writer. and expert in crafting powerful messages. Joanne breaks down the misconception that pitching is just about selling. Whether you're selling a product or an idea, the goal is the same: persuasion. It's about getting your audience to stop, listen, and invest time in your idea. Joanne shares the importance of setting the hook early and keeping people engaged by delivering value quickly and clearly. Joanne emphasizes that pitching is not just for salespeople—it's a skill everyone needs. In business, you're constantly pitching yourself, your ideas, or your projects. She compares pitching to a form of storytelling, where your narrative must not only catch attention but also build trust. Joanne also touches on the fine line between pitching and selling, explaining that while every pitch has an underlying goal of persuading, the real focus is on creating a connection. Through storytelling and strategic messaging, you can build a relationship that makes people want to listen longer. The conversation also delves into modern challenges, like competing with digital distractions. Joanne stresses that grabbing attention isn't enough—you need to hold it. Like a Netflix series that hooks viewers in the first few minutes, your pitch needs to pull the audience in right away and deliver substance, not just flash. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and marketers, her advice is clear: simplify your message, make it relatable, and always lead with value. Three Key Takeaways: • Pitching is about persuasion, not just selling: Whether you're pitching a product, idea, or project, the goal is to persuade your audience and capture their attention. It's not just about making a sale—it's about getting them to care. • Hook your audience quickly: Joanne stresses the importance of grabbing attention within the first few seconds. Like a great story, your pitch needs to engage right away, offering value and building trust so your audience wants to stick around. • Simplicity wins: Don't overcomplicate your message. The most effective pitches are clear and concise. Distilling your idea into one sentence can help you stay focused and make a more powerful impact. Joanne helps us understand how the Pitch needs to move beyond persuasion and into a relationship. If you want to understand how those relationships can help ideas reach scale be sure to check out this video by Thought Leadership Leverage COO Bill Sherman.

What's the ROI of a business book? Peter Winick and Bill Sherman dive into this game-changing question in the latest episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership. Partnering with industry giants like Gotham Ghostwriters, Amplify Publishing Group, and Smith Publicity, they've launched the most comprehensive study on the ROI of business books to date. Over 350 authors participated, and the results are eye-opening. The data shows 64% of business books turn a profit, with a median of $11,350 for books that have been out for at least six months. But here's where it gets interesting—authors with a clear strategy saw a median profit of $96,000. The key takeaway? Profit is more about strategy than sales alone. Books with a robust launch plan, PR efforts, or even ghostwriting support outperform those without. For every dollar spent, the average book generates $1.24 in revenue—not just from book sales but from lucrative add-ons like speaking engagements, consulting, and workshops. Another intriguing finding? Authors with weak strategies ended up spending more than those with a focused approach. And when it comes to satisfaction with publishers, hybrid models shine. 70% of authors using traditional or hybrid publishing were satisfied, but hybrid authors were twice as likely to be enthusiastic about their experience. Catch the full episode and dive into the data at www.authorroi.com. Three Key Takeaways: • Strategic planning drives profits: Authors with a clear strategy around their book—like PR, launch plans, and ghostwriting—saw a median profit of $96,000, significantly higher than those without a plan. • Revenue extends beyond book sales: For every $1 spent on a business book, authors generated $1.24 in revenue, with most of the profit coming from related services like speaking, consulting, and workshops, not just book sales. • Hybrid publishing leads to higher satisfaction: Hybrid authors were twice as likely to express strong satisfaction with their publishing experience compared to traditional or self-published authors.

What happens when your toughest challenges become your biggest opportunities? On this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman dives deep with Neri Karra Sillaman—an Entrepreneurship Expert, TEDx Speaker, and Professor at ESCP Business School—about how her early life as a refugee set her on a path to becoming a thought leader and entrepreneur. Neri shares the story of her childhood, growing up as part of a Turkish minority in Bulgaria during the 1980s, facing forced assimilation, and eventually being expelled from the country. With only two suitcases, her family fled to Turkey. From those humble beginnings in refugee camps, Neri realized education was her key to changing her life. This powerful experience laid the foundation for her future work in entrepreneurship and academia. But how does a life of survival translate into thought leadership? Neri discusses how her research took her on a journey to understand why immigrants create businesses—and more importantly, why some of those businesses endure. Her "ah-ha" moment came when she found that many studies focused on the why of immigrant entrepreneurship but few explored how these businesses achieve longevity. This insight sparked her upcoming book, which distills the strategies of immigrant founders that any entrepreneur can apply. Her message is clear: business longevity isn't just for immigrant entrepreneurs. It's for anyone who wants to build something that lasts. Neri is working to bridge the gap between startup challenges and the principles that help businesses thrive over the long term. When asked how she moved beyond academia to practice thought leadership, Neri explains how she transitioned from writing academic papers to producing content for HBR, Fast Company, and other platforms that directly impact business leaders. She challenges thought leaders to think about how they can make their work accessible and actionable. Three Key Takeaways: • Adversity can shape success – Neri's experience as a refugee shaped her drive and resilience, which became the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey and thought leadership. • Immigrant entrepreneurship holds key lessons for all – The principles that help immigrant businesses endure are applicable to any entrepreneur looking to achieve long-term success. • Practical thought leadership matters – Moving beyond academic research, Neri emphasizes the importance of creating accessible, actionable content that resonates with business owners and drives real impact. Neri has spent her life seeking success in academia and entrepreneurship. If you want to find that same success in Thought Leadership take a moment to watch this short video from Thought Leadership Leverage COO Bill Sherman on successfully launching a thought leadership team.

What if the way we approach change is broken? Would you try something new? Or stick to what you know? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Heather Hiscox, founder and CEO of Pause for Change and author of No More Status Quo: A Proven Framework to Change the Way We Change the World. Heather shares her journey of transforming frustration into a groundbreaking approach that's helping changemakers address tough challenges in the nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors. Heather's insights began with a simple yet powerful question: "Why aren't we working differently?" Years of seeing wasted efforts and weak results in the social sector pushed her to experiment. The result? The Pause framework—a tool for disrupting the status quo and creating meaningful impact. Her approach focuses on relationships, active listening, and rapid iteration, all built on a foundation of empathy and learning. Heather discusses how entrepreneurs often miss key listening skills, and how fear of "not being ready" keeps leaders from publishing ideas and moving forward. Instead, she encourages taking risks, learning in real-time, and embracing new methods to achieve different outcomes. Her clients—nonprofits, local governments, and philanthropic organizations—typically approach her for one of two reasons: something's broken, or they're unsure what's possible next. Heather uses her framework to guide them through the uncertainties, asking the right questions and driving real change. When it comes to marketing, Heather's strategy is driven by relationships and word of mouth. She's not just waiting for clients to find her—she's actively engaging them through LinkedIn, her online show The Possibility Project, and by knowing when to walk away from those who aren't ready to embrace her message. Heather's work is a call to action for leaders ready to stop settling for the status quo and start making the impact they've always envisioned. Three Key Takeaways: • Embrace new methods to create change: Heather emphasizes that traditional approaches in the social sector often fall short. To make real impact, leaders must ask different questions and take risks with new methods, like her Pause framework. • Relationships and listening are essential: Success hinges on building strong relationships and honing active listening skills. Whether in business or social change, empathetic listening and rapid iteration are key to solving complex problems. • Don't fear imperfection: Many leaders hesitate to publish content or make moves because it "isn't ready." Heather advocates for moving forward despite uncertainty, learning in real-time, and refining as you go. Heather has years of helping clients change how they think and work. If you are a thought leader, speaker, or author is your work creating sustainable change? Explore the topic more in this article by Peter Winick.

How do you turn technical expertise into a story that captures everyone's attention? Today, host Bill Sherman sits down with Chantal Roberts, an insurance expert and professor at The Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York., to discuss her unique journey as an author of two distinct books. One caters to insurance professionals, and the other takes a creative approach to educate the general public. Chantal's first book, The Art of Adjusting, targets mid-career insurance adjusters, offering them insights into the unwritten rules of claims handling. With remote work reducing informal knowledge-sharing, she aimed to bridge that gap. This book also strengthened her credentials as an expert witness in insurance litigation. Her second book, Once Upon a Claim: Fairytales to Protect Your Assets, was a complete pivot. Inspired by her experience teaching, Chantal decided to use fairy tales like Rapunzel and Goldilocks to explain complex insurance concepts to consumers. The goal? To help people understand the claims process better and avoid feeling blindsided. Chantal shares how her passion led her to write in ways that even surprised her. She also discusses her grassroots marketing efforts, sending postcards to agents as a way to spread the word about her second book—ensuring it doesn't get lost in the spam folder. If you're wondering how to write for different audiences without losing your authentic voice, Chantal's journey is full of insights. Three Key Takeaways: • Tailor your message to the audience: Chantal's books serve two very different audiences—insurance professionals and general consumers—requiring her to adjust both her tone and content to suit their needs. • Passion drives engagement: If you don't love what you're writing, neither will your readers. Chantal's pivot from a technical rewrite to storytelling with fairy tales made her second book more engaging and enjoyable for everyone. • Creative marketing matters: Chantal's approach to promoting Once Upon a Claim through physical postcards demonstrates the power of thinking outside the box to avoid digital clutter and create a personal touch. Chantal uses a different approach to finding her audience, but are you still using mass market techniques with your niche audience? If so, this article by Thought Leadership Leverage found and CEO Peter Winick might be helpful.

What happens when your publisher holds your book hostage? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill Sherman speaks with Michael Jenet, author of "Ask: The Questions to Empower Your Life" and founder of Journey Institute Press, about his grueling battle to reclaim the rights to his books after a new publisher took control. Michael's story isn't just one of frustration—it's about standing on principle and creating a new path for authors. After years of legal battles, Michael and his wife and fellow author Dafna managed to regain their rights, but the ordeal sparked a deeper question: How could they prevent this from happening to others? That's when they decided to start their own publishing company, Journey Institute Press, with a mission to put authors first and offer a more ethical, nonprofit-driven publishing model. They learned valuable lessons about the evolving book market, and now, they're helping first-time authors navigate the complex world of publishing with integrity and sustainability. Michael also shares key insights about long-term book marketing. Forget the one-time launch event at your local bookstore—today, it's about leveraging multiple formats, influencers, and long-term strategies to keep your book relevant. Whether you're launching a hardcover, paperback, ebook, or audiobook, the goal is the same: get your book into as many hands as possible and keep the conversation going for years. For aspiring authors, Michael offers this critical advice: start building your audience before the book is even written. Marketing falls on the author, so engage your readers early, find where they are, and get them excited long before launch day. Three Key Takeaways: • Own Your Rights: Michael Jenet's battle to reclaim his book rights highlights the importance of authors fully understanding and protecting their intellectual property in the publishing world. Don't assume your publisher will always have your best interests at heart. • Long-Term Book Strategy: Successful book launches go beyond a one-day event. Michael emphasizes the importance of thinking long-term, using multiple formats and engaging influencers to ensure your book stays relevant for years, not just during the initial release. • Build Your Audience Early: Authors can't rely solely on publishers for marketing. Start building a community around your book early on, even while you're still writing. This will drive excitement and help ensure a successful launch. These insights highlight the need for authors to take charge of both their rights and their marketing strategies to succeed in today's publishing landscape. If you have a book on the horizon and are seeking a solid thought leadership approach to marketing, reach out to Leveraging Thought Leadership to discuss how we can help.

Join host Peter Winick as he dives into a compelling conversation with Kristin Lytle, CEO of The Leader's Edge, an executive coaching firm transforming senior leadership. Kristin's journey to becoming a thought leader is rooted in her own experiences of self-doubt, which ignited her passion for helping others articulate their ideas and reach their full potential. Kristin shares how her firm elevates potential within organizations development programs that unlock leaders' full potential. But Kristin doesn't stop there. She's on a mission to make executive coaching accessible to the entire organization—not just the top tier. By focusing on building a culture of high integrity and crowding out low-integrity leaders, her team ensures that toxic behaviors are as unacceptable as an obvious safety hazard in the workplace. Kristin also discusses the importance of leveraging the insights of her team. Through regular coaches' roundtables, expert input, and staying attuned to client needs, The Leader's Edge is constantly evolving. The goal? To identify universal leadership challenges and create scalable solutions that blend online learning with executive coaching and community support. As Kristin transitions her firm from a practice to a full-fledged business, she's learned that allocating top talent is as crucial as managing finances. But perhaps the most profound insight she shares is the role fear plays in leadership behavior—fear of judgment, fear of looking foolish, and fear of not knowing enough. These fears, she argues, often drive leaders more than they realize. Three Key Takeaways: • Unlocking Potential at All Levels: Kristin Lytle emphasizes the importance of making leadership coaching accessible to the entire organization, not just the top executives. By crowding out low-integrity leaders and fostering a culture of high integrity, organizations can ensure that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential. • Scalability Through Universal Solutions: The Leader's Edge focuses on identifying consistent leadership challenges, like influence, that cut across industries and regions. By developing scalable solutions, such as blended learning programs, they make impactful leadership development available to a broader audience. • Fear as a Driving Force in Leadership: One of Kristin's key insights is that fear—whether it's fear of judgment, looking foolish, or not knowing enough—often drives leadership behaviors more than we might realize. Recognizing and addressing these fears is crucial for effective leadership. Kristin's team at The Leader's Edge is working hard to make work a better and more satisfying place to be. But what is the secret to changing a company's culture? Find out in this article by Thought Leadership Leverage COO Bill Sherman.

Join Bill Sherman as he sits down with Dr. Bryan Quoc Le, a dynamic food scientist, industry consultant, and the author of "150 Food Science Questions Answered: Cook Smarter, Cook Better." In this episode, Bryan reveals how a seemingly ordinary graduate school project sparked his journey into thought leadership, leading him to unexpected opportunities and recognition in the food science world. Bryan shares how he transformed a volunteer blogging at "The Institute of Food Technologists" stint into a platform that attracted the attention of Callisto Publishing, culminating in a book deal. Hear how he balanced the intense demands of writing his dissertation and authoring a book simultaneously, with the unwavering support of his wife. He dives into the book's unique format—half dictated by the publisher and half crafted by him—and reflects on how it honed his ability to make complex scientific concepts accessible and engaging to a broader audience. Learn how publishing a book early in his career became a game-changer, establishing his credibility and opening doors to numerous clients. Bryan talks about his unexpected success on platforms like Reddit, where he built a thriving community around food science, generating more leads and projects than he ever anticipated. What's next for Bryan? He's exploring new creative frontiers, including a potential documentary on flavors with an Emmy-winning filmmaker. It's a journey filled with innovation, exploration, and a bit of adventure. Tune in to discover how thought leadership can evolve from unexpected beginnings and lead to extraordinary opportunities. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought Leadership Can Start from Unexpected Places: Dr. Le's journey into thought leadership began with a volunteer blogging opportunity that eventually led to a book deal. This shows that sometimes, the path to establishing yourself as a thought leader can start with a seemingly small or unplanned endeavor. • Publishing a Book Can Be a Powerful Credibility Booster: Dr. Le's experience demonstrates the impact of publishing a book early in his career. It not only validated his expertise but also opened up multiple professional opportunities, establishing him as a trusted voice in the food science community. • Building Communities Can Lead to Unanticipated Opportunities: By actively engaging in platforms like Reddit, Dr. Le built a strong community around his field of expertise. This unexpected platform became a significant source of client leads and collaborations, highlighting the value of community-building in thought leadership. As a food scientist Bryan knows the difference between fine flavor and junk food. When it comes to your business are you using gourmet metrics or just measuring the junk? Find out in this video with Peter Winick.

Today on Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Andrea Sampson, CEO and Executive Thought Leader Coach at Talk Boutique and creator of the Thought Leaders Academy. Andrea has a rich background with over 25 years in marketing and advertising. She shares how her journey from crafting TEDx talks to building a holistic platform for thought leadership shaped her unique approach to coaching and strategy. Andrea discusses the importance of understanding your core message as a thought leader. It's not just about having a big idea but knowing what you stand for and why. This clarity helps you decide what opportunities to pursue and which ones to decline. For thought leaders, aligning your actions with your core message is essential. Andrea emphasizes that strategy isn't a limitation but a necessary framework that guides creativity, much like a creative brief in advertising. Peter and Andrea also explore the distinct differences between being a great keynote speaker and running a successful thought leadership business. Motivational speakers may inspire, but true thought leaders drive deeper understanding and actionable insights. Andrea highlights the need to simplify complex ideas so that audiences not only grasp them but are compelled to act. The conversation shifts to current trends in thought leadership, particularly the effectiveness of giving away value—knowledge, experience, or content—as a strategy for engagement and growth. Andrea underscores the importance of thinking like a consumer and identifying your target audience's needs. Andrea also challenges the notion that thought leadership is a solo endeavor. Collaboration, not competition, is key. She urges thought leaders to work together, learn from one another, and focus on connection and engagement. It's not the smartest thought leaders who are remembered, but those who can connect with their audience and make an impact. Join Peter Winick and Andrea Sampson as they delve into these powerful insights that can elevate your thought leadership to the next level. Three Key Takeaways: • Align Your Actions with Your Core Message: As a thought leader, it's crucial to define what you stand for and ensure all your decisions and strategies align with that core message. This clarity will help you decide which opportunities to pursue and which to decline, keeping your brand and message consistent and impactful. • Strategy Enhances Creativity, Not Restricts It: Contrary to popular belief, having a well-defined strategy does not limit creativity. Instead, it provides a framework that guides your creative efforts, ensuring your ideas and messages are focused, relevant, and effective in solving your audience's problems. • Collaboration Over Competition: Thought leadership is not a solo endeavor. By collaborating with other thought leaders, you can expand your reach, enhance your message, and engage more deeply with your audience. Working together allows for shared learning and growth, creating a more impactful and memorable presence in the market. If you know your core message, do you have discipline around it? Bill Sherman, COO of Thought Leadership Leverage, discussed the need for Message Discipline and the risks you take by not having it.

Today host Peter Winick welcomes Jason Silver, author of the new book "Your Grass is Greener: Use What You Have. Get What You Want. At Work and In Life." Jason, an engineer turned entrepreneur, shares his journey from tech to business and how a personal tragedy led him to reevaluate his approach to work and life. While building a company in the AI space and pushing himself to the limit, a phone call changed everything—his sister was diagnosed with late-stage cancer and passed away nine months later. This profound loss forced Jason to rethink his priorities and laid the foundation for his book. Jason's mission with Your Grass is Greener is clear: to help high-achievers realize they don't need to sacrifice joy for success and to empower those stuck in unfulfilling jobs to see they have the power to change their circumstances without changing careers. He believes that passion and performance can coexist, creating a positive cycle where enjoyment leads to better performance and vice versa. Although Jason didn't write the book as a business venture, it naturally led to opportunities where he now works with executive teams, leaders, and founders to build high-performing, happy teams. His insights on decision-making—highlighted in two key chapters of his book—have resonated widely, uncovering a common challenge in many organizations: decision paralysis. He's showing leaders how to make faster, more effective decisions by applying practical science, transforming how businesses operate. Writing the book taught Jason more than just communication skills; it taught him the art of engaging storytelling. He learned from his editor, who also worked on Atomic Habits, that effective communication isn't always about brevity but about connecting deeply with your audience. Jason now sees storytelling as a vital tool for leadership and decision-making. Jason's vision for the book is ambitious. He sees Your Grass is Greener as a catalyst for change in the workplace. He believes many are approaching work with a broken mindset, and the solutions we're currently trying aren't solving the deeper issues. Instead of job-hopping or pulling back at work, Jason advocates for a different approach: rethinking how we work to unlock massive improvements in both satisfaction and performance. Three Key Takeaways: • Balance Ambition with Well-being: Jason Silver's book, Your Grass is Greener, highlights the importance of finding a balance between achieving professional success and maintaining personal joy. High-achievers don't need to sacrifice happiness for their goals; it's possible to enjoy the journey and achieve success simultaneously. • Empowerment and Agency in Your Career: Many people feel stuck in unfulfilling jobs, but Jason argues that you have more control than you think. By leveraging your existing skills and shifting your mindset, you can transform your current job experience without changing careers. This approach can lead to greater job satisfaction and improved performance. • Effective Decision-Making through Storytelling: Writing the book taught Jason the power of storytelling in leadership and decision-making. Clear and engaging communication, rather than mere brevity, can drive deeper understanding and better decisions within organizations. This insight has proven essential in helping businesses overcome decision paralysis and improve overall effectiveness. Jason shared the very personal origin story of how his book was born. Are you sharing your thought leadership origin story? Check out this short video by Peter Winick on the power of having an origin story.

In today's episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, our host Peter Winick is joined by Bill Sherman, co-host and COO of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Dr. AJ Marsden, an organizational psychologist and statistician, Josh Bernoff, author of Build a Better Business Book, Marissa Eigenbrood, President of Smith Publicity, Inc., Alison Schwartz, COO of Gotham Ghostwriters, and Naren Aryal of Amplify Publishing Group. They discuss the findings of their recent research into the Return on Investment of publishing a business book. In today's presentation we will have a first look at the data that was gathered from hundreds of authors about their experiences getting published, the expenses incurred, and the results the book had on their business. These authors were reached through not only the friends and colleagues at Thought Leadership Leverage but those from many supporting sponsors such as Greenleaf Book Group, Marshall Goldsmith 100 Coaches, Page Two Books, and Zilker Media to name a few. Before the research could even begin we had to ask the questions "What is ROI? How can you measure it? How much does an author spend? What is the effect of different publishing models? And what type of returns do authors see? In answering these questions we explore what the data tells us about the three different publishing models (Traditional, Hybrid, and Self Publishing), the role RP and Ghostwriters can play in the success of each. We also investigate the hard and soft costs involved in writing a book and what the returns could look like. While many expect the sales of the book to account for much of their profit, we learn how using the book as a key part of a platform and gateway to other parts of the business is where real impact can be found. More questions will be asked and answered in the white paper that will be released in September as we continue to pour over the data. To get a copy of the paper when it's released e-mail [email protected]

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman sits down with Constance Scharff, PhD, a trailblazer in the field of mental health research. Constance is the founder of the Institute for Complementary and Indigenous Mental Health Research and author of an upcoming book on "Everyday Bravery." Everyday bravery isn't about heroic acts like running into burning buildings. Constance redefines it as the courage found in everyday life—like battling addiction, where survival alone is an act of immense bravery. Having been sober for 26 years herself, Constance knows this firsthand. Her research reveals the quiet yet powerful ways people confront challenges and carry themselves with dignity, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Constance aims to make her research accessible to everyone, choosing to write books instead of academic papers. She believes mental health research should be available to the public, especially in the U.S., where affordable care is scarce. By blending memoir with academic research, she offers a personal and relatable perspective on the complex issues she studies. Her journey into the field started 15 years ago at the intersection of addiction and trauma. A tragic loss drove her to explore the courage it takes to keep fighting against addiction. Her research took her across the globe—from New York's Stonewall Inn to the jungles of Ecuador—uncovering stories of resilience and bravery in unexpected places. Constance hopes her work will inspire others to see that recovery and resilience are possible, even against all odds. She challenges the over-pathologization of mental health in Western culture and advocates for a broader, more inclusive approach to mental well-being. Three Key Takeaways: • Redefining Everyday Bravery: Everyday bravery isn't about grand heroic acts but the quiet courage found in overcoming daily challenges, like battling addiction or navigating trauma with dignity. • Making Mental Health Research Accessible: Constance Scharff prioritizes writing books over academic papers to make complex mental health research accessible to the public, especially in a landscape where affordable care is limited. • Global Perspective on Mental Health: Her research highlights the resilience found in diverse cultures worldwide, challenging the Western focus on pharmaceuticals and advocating for a more inclusive approach to mental health treatment. Constance has an impactful blend of research and storytelling that she uses to spread her thought leadership. If you'd like to understand how Academic Research can be used to build your thought leadership platform be sure to watch this short video with Peter Winick.

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman sits down with Yosi Amram, a political psychologist, CEO, leadership coach, and the award-winning author of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired. Yosi delves into the concept of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership, a fresh take on leadership that integrates spiritual qualities like passionate purpose, compassionate service, trust, gratitude, integrity, and humility into daily life and work. Yosi's journey began in Israel, where he was drafted into the military at 18, despite his pacifist leanings. The rigid military structure fueled his desire to create a leadership model built on humane values that support individual growth. This desire led him to the U.S., where he studied at MIT, launched companies, and ultimately burned out from trying to maintain control and inspire simultaneously. His burnout sparked a deep interest in psychology and leadership, which introduced him to the idea of spiritual intelligence through Dana Zohar's book "SQ: Connecting With Our Spiritual Intelligence" which was about rewiring the corporate brain. Determined to explore this concept, Yosi interviewed 71 spiritual leaders from various traditions to uncover universal themes of spiritual intelligence. He developed the first academically validated measure of spiritual intelligence and discovered that it accounts for 46% of leadership effectiveness. Now, Yosi's mission is to elevate Spiritual Intelligence to the same level of recognition and understanding as Emotional Intelligence. Looking forward, Yosi is exploring the intersection of spirituality and science, faith and reason, and the evolving role of historical religious traditions in our modern world. His quest is personal as much as it is professional, as he navigates his own Jewish heritage and its relevance in contemporary leadership. Three Key Takeaways: • Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: Yosi Amram introduces Spiritually Intelligent Leadership as a new leadership model that integrates spiritual qualities such as purpose, compassion, trust, and integrity into everyday decision-making and leadership practices. • Universal Spiritual Themes: Through extensive research with spiritual leaders across various traditions, Yosi found that spiritual intelligence is a universal concept, with common virtues that transcend individual beliefs and contribute significantly to effective leadership. • Validated Impact: Yosi's studies show that spiritual intelligence accounts for 46% of leadership effectiveness, highlighting its critical role in both leadership success and overall quality of life, much like the established concept of Emotional Intelligence. Yosi has found a section of thought leadership that is both interesting and impactful. Is your thought leadership hitting the same mark? If you are unsure this article by Peter Winick might help answer that question.

In the latest episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, Peter Winick chats with Julie Williamson, CEO of The Karrikins Group. Julie is a trailblazer in connecting communication, design, strategy, sales, marketing, and service to drive sustainable growth. Julie shares her unconventional journey into thought leadership. Despite her passion for writing and English, she opted for a degree in Information Systems during the 80s, a time when women in tech were rare. This path gave her a unique vantage point, blending technical, business, and social insights, which she now leverages to help organizations grow and innovate. Julie describes her ideal client as a "frustrated leader." She excels in enhancing team performance, combining business acumen, tech background, and social science to foster organizational communication and cohesion. Her focus is on "Leadership Alignment," ensuring teams outperform individually. Julie's approach involves both publications and hands-on consulting, emphasizing that true transformation requires sustained engagement, not just quick fixes. Her team typically works with clients for 3 to 12 months to catalyze real change. To develop and deploy thought leadership, Julie regularly creates short-form content on platforms like LinkedIn and Forbes Expert Panels. She believes in the discipline of consistent content creation to hone her voice and impact. Addressing the challenges of linking thought leadership to business results, Julie acknowledges the difficulty in measuring the direct impact of her work. Her strategy focuses on continuous contribution to leadership effectiveness, ensuring her insights make a tangible difference. Three Key Takeaways: • Leadership Alignment: Julie Williamson emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership to enhance team performance. By fostering strong organizational communication and cohesion, aligned teams can achieve greater results than individuals working alone. • Sustained Engagement for Transformation: True change within organizations requires sustained effort. Julie's approach involves long-term engagements (3 to 12 months) rather than one-off workshops, ensuring lasting transformation and meaningful impact. • Consistent Content Creation: To develop and deploy effective thought leadership, Julie advocates for regular content creation. She underscores the necessity of disciplined, consistent efforts in writing and sharing insights, which helps in refining one's voice and maximizing impact. Julie understands what it takes to bring teams into alignment for better success. When it comes to Thought Leadership Peter Winick knows how to bring Strategy, Tactics and Goals into alignment. To supercharge your thought leadership check out this video!

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick chats with Netanel Baruch, Founder and CEO of Queue, an AI-driven platform designed to amplify your online presence by transforming everyday conversations into thought leadership content 60% faster. Imagine having a 10-minute conversation and walking away with ready-to-post content. That's Queue. As a marketer, Netanel saw potential in every client conversation but noticed experts struggled to convert these insights into content due to time constraints and writing skills. Queue's AI, "Jessica," conducts natural, engaging interviews, creating tailored content that mirrors the expert's unique voice. Consultants, regardless of their industry, can consistently generate high-quality content, showcasing their expertise and providing value to their audience. The main challenge? Perfecting the tone of voice to ensure the content feels authentically personal. Netanel emphasizes their ongoing commitment to refining this feature, making sure the content truly represents the expert's unique style. Three Key Takeaways: • Efficient Content Creation: Queue's AI, "Jessica," transforms short conversations into ready-to-post content, saving time and making it easier for experts to maintain a consistent online presence. • Authentic Voice Representation: Queue focuses on creating content that mirrors the expert's unique voice, ensuring the material feels personal and genuine, which is crucial for engaging audiences. • Broad Applicability for Consultants: The platform is versatile and benefits consultants across various industries, helping them regularly produce high-quality content that highlights their expertise and provides value to their audience.

Amy Shoenthal, USA Today bestselling author of "The Setback Cycle: How Defining Moments Can Move Us Forward," joins Bill Sherman on the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast. Amy is a seasoned journalist and marketing executive with 20 years of investigative reporting. Her passion for profiling founders, executives, and leaders who take risks and create something new began at the University of Maryland, where she reported on student entrepreneurs. Amy's book, "The Setback Cycle," explores how setbacks can lead to success. She discovered a pattern: significant achievements often follow major setbacks. In numerous interviews, she noticed that transformative ideas often arose after overcoming significant challenges. She researched extensively, consulting psychologists, neuroscientists, and executive coaches to develop a step-by-step framework for overcoming setbacks. One surprising finding? Many people fail to recognize when they're experiencing a setback, making it harder to recover. Amy's framework helps identify setbacks early and provides tools to rebuild. She emphasizes that acknowledging a setback is the first crucial step towards recovery. Ignoring or denying a setback can make it more difficult to move forward and find new opportunities. Amy was driven to create not just a narrative but a practical guide. She wanted to understand the common threads that enable individuals to rebuild and succeed after setbacks. Her book offers a playbook for anyone facing life's inevitable challenges, providing both inspiration and actionable steps. Her goal? To make the concept of the "Setback Cycle" part of our cultural lexicon. Amy hopes people will see setbacks through the lens of her framework, allowing them to emerge stronger and more resilient. She envisions a world where setbacks are viewed as opportunities for growth and innovation, and where everyone has the tools and resources to navigate adversity. Three Key Takeaways: • Setbacks as Catalysts for Success: Amy Shoenthal's research reveals that significant achievements often follow major setbacks. Her book, "The Setback Cycle," emphasizes how overcoming challenges can lead to transformative ideas and innovations. • Recognizing and Addressing Setbacks: One of the critical insights from Amy's work is the importance of recognizing when you're experiencing a setback. Identifying and acknowledging a setback is the first step in the recovery process, allowing for a proactive approach to rebuilding and finding new opportunities. • Framework for Resilience: Amy has developed a step-by-step framework, backed by extensive research and consultations with psychologists, neuroscientists, and executive coaches. This framework provides practical tools and strategies for individuals to navigate setbacks, emerge stronger, and turn adversity into opportunity. If you feel like your Thought Leadership is having a Setback, make sure to check out Amy's framework for overcoming it as well as this Four Part Framework for Thought Leadership.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Peter Winick chats with Minette Norman, an author, keynote speaker, and leadership consultant with decades of experience leading global technical teams in the software industry. Minette shares her journey from a stellar tech career to becoming an influential voice in inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and collaborative teams. Despite her success in tech, she realized many leaders were ill-prepared for their roles. As she advanced, the lack of proper leadership training became evident, and she often found herself and others navigating leadership by trial and error. When faced with a manager who didn't appreciate her contributions, she chose to leave and focus on helping others become better leaders through her books, speaking engagements, and consulting. Minette emphasizes the need for better leadership training and creating pathways for individual contributors to advance without necessarily moving into leadership roles. She discusses the importance of learning from poor leadership examples and using those experiences as lessons on what not to do. Minette's consulting work often begins with addressing issues of inclusivity within companies. She recalls working with a company where women felt they lacked opportunities for advancement and were often relegated to note-taking roles in meetings. By promoting inclusive meeting practices, she helped shift the company culture. Her approach to consulting varies but always centers around inclusion, psychological safety, and creating environments where diverse teams can thrive. She notes that while psychological safety is now a buzzword, understanding its importance isn't enough. There's a need for practical guidance, which led her and Karolin Helbig to write "The Psychological Safety Playbook," providing actionable steps to foster safe spaces at work. Minette's latest book, "The Boldly Inclusive Leader," serves as both a resource and a calling card, drawing new clients who want to bring her expertise into their organizations. Three Key Takeaways: • Inclusive Leadership is Crucial: Minette Norman emphasizes the importance of fostering inclusive leadership and psychological safety in the workplace. Creating an environment where diverse voices are heard and valued is essential for team success and employee well-being. • Practical Guidance for Psychological Safety: While the concept of psychological safety is widely recognized, Minette and her co-author Karolin Helbig identified a gap in practical guidance. Their book, "The Psychological Safety Playbook," provides actionable steps for leaders to create safe spaces where employees can speak up and contribute fully. • Learning from Poor Leadership: Experiences with poor leaders can be valuable lessons. By observing and understanding what ineffective leadership looks like, individuals can avoid those pitfalls and strive to become better leaders themselves.

Welcome to another dynamic episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast with your host, Bill Sherman. Today, we delve into the heart of innovation with two distinguished guests: Peter Boatwright, Professor of Marketing at the Tepper School of Business, and Jonathan Cagan, the Coulter Head and Lab Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. These experts have spent their careers studying and teaching the innovation process and now share their groundbreaking insights with us. Peter and Jon are the co-authors of "Managing the Unmanageable: 13 Tips for Building and Leading a Successful Innovation Team." Their book tackles the often chaotic realm of product and service innovation within organizations. They discuss the essential question: What does it mean to manage the unmanageable? Drawing from extensive research, they reveal how to embrace the chaos of innovation and transform it into productive progress. One captivating study highlighted in the episode involved replacing an engineer with a manager on a design team. The manager, focusing solely on communication and problem-solving processes, led to a fivefold increase in productivity compared to unmanaged teams. This experiment underscores the profound impact of managing the innovation process rather than directly engaging in it. The conversation explores the delicate balance between continuous exploration and decisive action. Peter and Jon stress that while endless discovery is tempting, knowing when to optimize and move forward is crucial. They draw from their classroom experiences and corporate collaborations to illustrate how theoretical principles can be effectively applied in real-world scenarios. As professors, Peter and Jon have the unique advantage of using their classrooms as innovation laboratories, blending academic rigor with practical challenges from corporate partners. This intersection of theory and application equips their students with robust, repeatable frameworks for tackling real-world problems. The discussion then turns to the future. Jon is deeply interested in the role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing team dynamics. He envisions AI agents that can monitor team conversations in real-time, offering nudges and suggestions to keep teams aligned and productive. Early results suggest that AI could match or even surpass human managers in this role. Peter, on the other hand, is focused on the practical application of their principles. He's keen to see how organizations digest, use, and implement the insights from their book, continually exploring the next big questions in innovation management. Join us for this enlightening episode packed with actionable insights and revolutionary ideas that promise to transform your approach to managing innovation. Three Key Takeaways: • The Power of Process Management: Replacing an engineer with a manager who focused on communication and problem-solving processes led to a fivefold increase in productivity. This highlights the crucial role of managing the innovation process rather than directly engaging in it. • Balancing Exploration and Decision-Making: While continuous discovery in innovation is tempting, knowing when to optimize and make decisions is vital. The balance between exploring new ideas and refining existing ones is key to successful innovation management. • Future of AI in Team Dynamics: Jon Cagan's exploration into AI's role in team management reveals that AI agents can effectively monitor and enhance team interactions. Early results show AI's potential to match or even surpass human managers in keeping teams aligned and productive. There is a delicate balance between integration and innovation in Thought Leadership. Learn more about this dilemma from this article written by Peter Winick.

In this engaging episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman converses with Sean Stewart, an executive coach, keynote speaker, and historical leadership expert at Past Forward Talks. Sean's journey from maritime historian and archaeologist to thought leadership is both fascinating and insightful, providing a fresh perspective on how objects can help us gain clarity and insight into our problems and leadership challenges. Sean recounts how his background in maritime history and archaeology led him to realize the profound impact that objects can have on people. He noticed that individuals often become overly focused on their internal struggles, losing perspective. Objects, he found, can help externalize these problems, allowing people to step outside their heads and view their issues more objectively. This shift in perspective is crucial for effective problem-solving and leadership. Delving into the art of interpretation, Sean explains that as a historian or archaeologist, one seeks meaning in objects by placing them within a historical context. He has adapted this skill to the modern world, using objects to help leaders and teams connect with their stories and challenges. For instance, he describes using an ancient sculpture of a small stylized horse to illustrate how simple, straightforward objects can serve as powerful reminders of lessons learned and goals set, helping people avoid getting lost in their thoughts during difficult times. A turning point in Sean's career was a visit to a 5th-century Byzantine church, where he encountered a broken mosaic of a laurel wreath—a symbol of victory. This experience led him to question what true victory means in the context of conflicts and disagreements. He realized that many battles are fought for the sake of fighting, rather than for meaningful outcomes. This insight became the foundation of his coaching method, which encourages leaders to focus on their overarching goals rather than petty disputes. To get his message out, Sean emphasizes the importance of starting small and simple. He suggests giving brief presentations to large audiences, using a single object to illustrate his points. This approach not only captures attention but also makes complex ideas more accessible and relatable. Sean is currently working on a book that explores leadership through objects, showing the merits and opportunities of this approach. The book begins by laying a foundation of ethics and morality, which Sean believes are essential for effective leadership. It then moves on to practical techniques for using objects to tell stories and reinforce lessons. For those interested in incorporating objects into their work, Sean offers practical advice: start by selecting four random, unconnected objects and creating a story about life in the early 2000s. This exercise trains the mind to see connections between objects and the people who interact with them, developing a keen sense of interpretation and storytelling. By repeating this exercise with different objects and themes, one can quickly master this technique. Join us for this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage to gain actionable insights and innovative approaches to leadership from Sean Stewart. Three Key Takeaways: • Externalizing Problems through Objects: Sean Stewart emphasizes the power of using objects to help individuals externalize their problems. By focusing on an object, people can gain a fresh perspective, allowing them to step outside their heads and view their issues more objectively. • Historical Interpretation for Modern Leadership: Drawing from his background as a historian and archaeologist, Sean demonstrates how interpreting objects within their historical context can offer valuable insights for modern leadership. This method helps leaders connect with their stories and challenges, providing clarity and direction. • Practical Techniques for Leadership Development: Sean's innovative approach includes practical exercises, such as creating stories with random objects to develop interpretation and storytelling skills. His upcoming book will further explore leadership through objects, emphasizing the importance of ethics and morality, and providing techniques for using objects to reinforce leadership lessons. Sean presents a unique and interesting approach to leadership, if you are wondering if your leadership is as interesting take a moment to read this article by Peter Winick.

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick sits down with Jason Lavender, the co-founder and CEO of Electives. Jason's career journey is anything but linear. He started as an actuary, transitioned into strategy consulting, and eventually found his entrepreneurial spirit while working closely with innovators. A serendipitous six-week improv class, gifted by his wife, fueled his passion for creativity and human connection, shaping his unique career path. Jason founded Electives to revolutionize corporate training. Frustrated by ineffective, impersonal training videos, he envisioned a platform offering live, virtual, and interactive learning. Electives aims to make high-quality, engaging training accessible and redefine who can teach in the corporate world. By recruiting experts from diverse fields—FBI agents, astronauts, professors, and executives—they provide a rich library of curated content, solving real problems without the need for months of searching. Electives offers two training models: Private classes tailored to a company's culture and Electives Membership, allowing employees to choose live classes from a broad selection. This dual approach addresses both team-wide issues and individual development needs. Electives also simplifies the procurement process, handling all logistics and payments, thus eliminating administrative headaches for both clients and instructors. Looking ahead, Jason is excited about integrating AI to match business objectives with the necessary skills and corresponding courses, further enhancing the impact and efficiency of Electives. Three Key Takeaways: • Interactive Learning Over Pre-recorded Content: Electives aims to replace ineffective training videos with live, virtual, interactive learning experiences, featuring experts from diverse fields such as FBI agents, astronauts, and executives. • Simplified Procurement and Payment Processes: Electives streamlines the process of finding, vetting, hiring, and paying trainers, offering a single point of contact for clients and ensuring instructors are paid promptly. • Future Integration of AI: Electives is developing AI technology to align business objectives with the necessary skills and corresponding courses, enhancing training effectiveness and efficiency. Do you have training videos that you are not sure what to do with? Be sure to check out this short video where Peter Winick gives tips for creating and monetizing training videos.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Peter Winick welcomes Sohee Jun, a premier leadership coach, mindset expert, corporate leadership facilitator, speaker, and best-selling author of "Mommytracked: How to Take Authentic Risks and Find Success On Your Terms" and her latest release, "The Aligned Mindset: Secrets of High-Achieving Women for Navigating Work and Life." Sohee shares insights from her journey, highlighting the importance of following one's energy to make a significant impact. Moving from a six-year-old immigrant integrating into a new culture to a leader in organizational psychology, she has always prioritized connection and people. Her extensive career includes working with leaders on strategy, culture, and employee engagement. After 15 years in corporate roles, Sohee ventured into independent consulting. The transition was challenging, requiring her to juggle multiple roles and iterate constantly. She emphasizes the need to discover one's strengths and delegate other tasks to maintain focus and impact. Initially, she said yes to everything, leading to burnout. Over time, she learned to prioritize quality over quantity, becoming intentional with her time and efforts. Sohee also discusses the importance of expanding beyond one's initial network and maintaining consistent marketing efforts. She stresses the need to be courageous in saying no to misaligned opportunities to prevent falling into a cycle of overwork and dissatisfaction. On pricing, Sohee advocates for openness and transparency, leveraging her insider knowledge to stay competitive and fair in the market. Three Key Takeaways: • Follow Your Energy for Impact: Sohee emphasizes the importance of following where you have the most energy and impact. This approach has guided her journey from a young immigrant to a successful leader in organizational psychology, and later, to an independent consultant. • Quality Over Quantity: Initially overwhelmed by saying yes to everything, Sohee learned to prioritize quality. She now focuses on intentional time management and selecting projects that align with her values and strengths, highlighting the importance of saying no to maintain balance and prevent burnout. • Consistent Marketing and Networking: Sohee underscores the necessity of reaching beyond one's initial network and maintaining consistent marketing efforts. She advises that expanding your reach and staying engaged with your audience is crucial for sustainable business growth. If you're a new consultant or thinking about breaking out on your own, take a few minutes to watch this video from Peter Winick on How to Use Thought Leadership to Grow Your Business.

Bill Sherman hosts Cobe Williams, a pioneer in violence prevention. Cobe shares his journey from personal redemption to global impact. As Director of US Programs for Cure Violence Global, he uses epidemic control methods to halt violence in communities. His story is a powerful testament to transformation and hope. Cobe's defining moment came in court, in restraints, when he embraced his son after a year and a half. This emotional reunion catalyzed his resolve to change his life and be there for his family. Today, Cobe leads violence prevention programs worldwide, from Chicago to Africa, transforming communities and inspiring change. With almost two decades in the field, Cobe began as a "Violence Interrupter," mediating conflicts in his neighborhood. His approach is deeply relational, meeting people where they are, and spreading the message that disagreements don't have to escalate to violence. His work involves intense listening, strategic mediation, and leveraging community relationships to prevent retaliation and promote peace. Cobe also discusses his upcoming book, "Interrupting Violence: One Man's Journey to Heal the Streets and Redeem Himself," co-authored with Josh Gryniewicz. The book aims to inspire others by sharing Cobe's personal journey and the lessons he's learned in violence prevention. Cure Violence Global's success attracts mayors, health departments, and private funders seeking proven methods to reduce violence. Cobe emphasizes the importance of community credibility and relationship-building in their programs, ensuring local leaders are respected and effective. Through his story, Cobe hopes to show that it's never too late to change, and redemption is possible for everyone. His work and message aim to foster understanding, reduce judgment, and inspire others to share their stories and seek help. Three Key Takeaways: • Transformative Power of Personal Redemption: Cobe Williams' journey from a courtroom revelation to leading global violence prevention efforts illustrates how personal transformation can drive impactful change. His story emphasizes that it's never too late to change and that redemption is possible for everyone. • Community-Centric Violence Prevention: Cure Violence Global's approach leverages deep community relationships and epidemic control methods to interrupt and prevent violence. By training and supporting local leaders who are respected and credible within their communities, the program effectively reduces shootings and killings. • Inspiring Others Through Storytelling: Cobe's upcoming book, "Interrupting Violence: One Man's Journey to Heal the Streets and Redeem Himself," aims to motivate and inspire others. By sharing his personal experiences and the challenges he faced, he hopes to encourage people to understand the roots of violence, reduce judgment, and inspire others to seek help and share their stories.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman chats with Karen Wright Gordon, CEO of 5 Dynamics, about revolutionizing organizational performance. Karen explains their unique assessment, a product of Mike Sturm's pioneering research. This tool, while not the company's sole focus, is integral to their methodology. It reveals individual preferences in project phases, enhancing productivity by aligning tasks with personal strengths. Karen elaborates on the five phases: Ideation, Alignment, Planning, Execution, and Evaluation. Each person has phases where they excel and others that drain them. Their assessment helps identify these preferences, fostering a more efficient and satisfying workflow. Karen's journey with 5 Dynamics began when she encountered Mike Sturm at a Women's Presidents Organization meeting. Despite her company's success, she felt unfulfilled. Mike's insights resonated with her, leading her to acquire and further develop his IP, making it accessible and practical for businesses. Karen's vision transcends merely improving performance; she aims to democratize coaching and transform organizational cultures. By focusing on creating a unique lane rather than competing with others, she emphasizes the importance of having Champions—advocates who believe in and spread the methodology. Karen also shares how their methodology has surprised them with its versatile applications, from the corporate world to academia and healthcare. Studies have shown improvements in teamwork, satisfaction, and overall performance when using the 5 Dynamics framework. To keep the work fresh and vital, Karen collaborates with a diverse team, including a young neuroscientist and a seasoned chief revenue officer. This diversity ensures a broad reach and rich perspectives in their thought leadership efforts. Karen feels a profound responsibility to honor Mike Sturm's legacy. Continuing his work and seeing its impact on people's lives keeps her inspired and driven. Three Key Takeaways: • Leveraging Personal Preferences: The 5 Dynamics assessment identifies individual preferences in project phases, enhancing productivity by aligning tasks with personal strengths. • Creating a Unique Path: Karen emphasizes the importance of not just competing but creating a new lane, focusing on democratizing coaching and transforming organizational cultures. • Honoring Legacy and Innovation: Karen's dedication to Mike Stern's legacy drives her to keep the work impactful and fresh, collaborating with a diverse team to reach wider audiences and bring new perspectives.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman sits down with Judy Wilkins Smith, an executive coach and trainer specializing in Systemic Constellation Work. Judy has recently released her second book, "The Hidden Power in Your DNA: How to Use Genealogy to Explore Ancestral Patterns & Transform Your Life." Dive in as she shares insights from her transformative journey and groundbreaking work. "Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint," emerged from personal tragedy. After losing her father, she turned to writing to channel her emotions. Her background in award-winning poetry helped her craft a powerful narrative that connects deeply with readers. That ability to connect and evoke emotion can be seen in Judy's Systemic Constellation Work. Bringing hidden patterns to light by Using 3D tools like paper and props, she helps clients visualize and understand their obstacles. This method allows for a tangible shift in perception and strategy. Judy talks about the humble journey of becoming the biggest version of oneself. It's about taking full responsibility for personal growth and inviting others to join the adventure. She emphasizes the importance of growth feeling like play rather than a burden. She uses these same ideals when helping clients see the biggest versions of themselves. In her coaching Judy prefers inviting clients to explore their potential rather than pushing them. She's keenly aware of hesitation, understanding it as a form of self-protection that can be transformed into a strength. Judy reflects on her own journey with undervaluing her work. Coming from a culture that shies away from ambition, she struggled with Imposter Syndrome. Her growth involved recognizing her worth and pushing past those limiting beliefs. Judy discusses her "Head, Heart, and Gut" framework, which combats negative self-talk and aligns these three powerful centers to manifest success. When your heart, head, and gut are in sync, you unlock your full potential. Looking ahead, Judy sees the need for leaders who inspire rather than push. She emphasizes moving beyond victimhood, using personal challenges as a catalyst for remarkable achievements. Three Key Takeaways: • Transformative Power of Ancestral Patterns: Judy Wilkins Smith's work with Systemic Constellation reveals how understanding and addressing ancestral patterns can transform lives. Her books, "Decoding Your Emotional Blueprint" and "The Hidden Power in Your DNA," explore how genealogy and systemic work can uncover hidden influences and provide pathways to personal growth. • Aligning Head, Heart, and Gut: Judy emphasizes the importance of aligning one's head, heart, and gut. By overcoming negative self-talk and ensuring these three elements work together, individuals can achieve conscious manifestation and unlock their full potential. This alignment is crucial for personal and professional success. • Inspiring Rather Than Pushing: Judy advocates for leadership that inspires rather than pushes. She highlights the significance of inviting others to explore their potential and grow in a supportive environment. Her approach focuses on turning challenges into strengths and moving beyond a victim mindset to achieve remarkable outcomes.

In this riveting episode of Thought Leadership Leverage with host Peter Winick, we dive into the world of non-fiction with Phil Simon, a multifaceted writer, ghostwriter, speaker, and podcaster. Phil shares his journey from a college professor in business information systems to becoming a prolific author and the founder of a hybrid publishing company. He explains his dual role as both a creator and coach, helping others craft their books and platforms while avoiding common pitfalls. Phil recounts his transition into writing in 2008, which ignited his passion for the craft and led to the establishment of his own publishing company. His unique perspective as an author, ghostwriter, and publisher enables him to guide others effectively. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit with clients, setting clear expectations, and ensuring that the client's voice shines through while adhering to effective business writing principles. Discussing the ghostwriting process, Phil highlights the critical need for compatibility and clear communication with clients. He shares insights into the evolving publishing landscape, noting the rise of hybrid publishing as a cost-effective and rewarding alternative to traditional publishers. Authors now have more control and potential for higher rewards, balancing the risks with substantial marketing and support efforts. Phil also delves into his personal intellectual property, which he proudly owns under "Racket Publishing." This ownership allows him to explore various avenues, such as international translations and teachable courses, without intermediary restrictions. He discusses innovative business models that leverage the credibility of a published book, including bespoke versions for corporate clients, custom training, and webinars. Phil's experience underscores the chaotic yet rewarding nature of thought leadership and publishing. His advice for aspiring authors and thought leaders is to embrace the non-linear path to success and capitalize on the multifaceted opportunities a book can provide. Three Key Takeaways: • Embrace Hybrid Publishing: Phil Simon emphasizes the advantages of hybrid publishing over traditional routes. This model offers authors more control, potential for higher rewards, and flexibility, while still maintaining professional quality. Hybrid publishing allows authors to manage costs and directly benefit from their work. • Find the Right Fit in Ghostwriting: The importance of compatibility and clear expectations in ghostwriting is crucial. Successful partnerships hinge on mutual understanding and clear communication, ensuring the final product resonates with the intended audience and meets client expectations. • Leverage Your Book for Broader Opportunities: Owning your intellectual property opens up diverse monetization avenues. Phil discusses how a book can elevate your brand, allowing for additional revenue streams through custom training, webinars, and bespoke book versions for corporate clients. Embracing these opportunities can significantly enhance your thought leadership platform. If you want to learn more about the Changing Landscape of Publishing be sure to check out this video by Peter Winick.

In this riveting episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman engages with Martin Gonzalez, the co-author of the best-selling book "The Bonfire Moment" and the visionary behind Google's "The Effective Founders Project." Dive into the fascinating journey of Martin, who transformed a personal passion into a global initiative that has reshaped the landscape of startup success. Martin Gonzalez's journey at Google began a decade ago at their Singapore campus. Embracing Google's culture of innovation and autonomy, Martin seized the opportunity to embark on a passion project that aligned with Google's business goals. His fascination with startup founders and the early stages of company development led him to partner with Joshua Yellin, who was leading Google's Startup Accelerator Program. This program, with its focus on machine learning, globalization, and growth hacking, provided a fertile ground for Martin's innovative ideas, despite his initial lack of expertise in these areas. Martin's breakthrough came when he uncovered a Harvard study indicating that 65% of startups fail due to people issues. Armed with this insight, he proposed a two-day workshop aimed at addressing these challenges. The workshop, first tested in Jakarta and then in Bangalore, received overwhelmingly positive feedback. Their success was not a one-time anomaly; the workshops continued to garner high ratings worldwide, eventually impacting founders across 70 countries. In this episode, Bill and Martin explore the journey of understanding why startups succeed or fail. Martin highlights the pitfalls of relying solely on data from successful founders, which often leads to "Survivor's Bias." He stresses the importance of comprehensive data that includes insights from failed ventures to paint a realistic picture of startup dynamics. Martin also shares the genesis of their book "The Bonfire Moment." Initially hesitant to commit to writing, Martin was eventually convinced by Joshua Yellin, who saw the immense value their workshops offered. The book became a natural extension of their workshops, providing an open-source toolkit for startup founders. This approach, rooted in Google's ethos of sharing and collaboration, aimed to empower others with the tools and knowledge to replicate their success. The conversation also touches on Martin's unique role as an "Enlightened Practitioner." He bridges the gap between academic research and practical application, translating complex research findings into actionable insights for leaders and managers. This ability to synthesize and communicate evidence-based advice makes Martin a pivotal figure in the startup ecosystem. The episode concludes with a discussion on the development of a validated measure for assessing founders. Through years of collecting 360-degree feedback surveys and analyzing thousands of data points, Martin and his team published the "Effective Founders Report." This report, which garnered significant attention from their publisher, laid the foundation for their influential book. Join Bill Sherman and Martin Gonzalez for an illuminating discussion on the intricacies of startup success, the power of data-driven insights, and the transformative potential of open-source tools. This episode is a must-listen for thought leaders, authors, and speakers who are passionate about innovation and leadership in the startup world. Three Key Takeaways: • Addressing People Issues is Crucial for Startup Success: Martin Gonzalez's research, backed by a Harvard study, revealed that 65% of startups fail due to people-related issues. His workshops focused on these challenges, demonstrating that addressing team dynamics and leadership is essential for early-stage companies to thrive. • Importance of Comprehensive Data to Avoid Survivor's Bias: Martin and Bill discuss the pitfalls of relying solely on data from successful startups, which can lead to "Survivor's Bias." Understanding why startups fail is equally important to gain a realistic and holistic view of what contributes to success or failure in the startup ecosystem. • Open-Source Approach to Knowledge Sharing: Reflecting Google's ethos, Martin and his co-author Joshua Yellin chose to make their workshop tools and insights freely available through their book "The Bonfire Moment." This open-source approach aims to empower a broader audience, emphasizing mission and reach over profit, and fostering a collaborative environment for startup growth. If you want to read more about what it takes to Build Awesome Assessments check out this article by Bill Sherman.

In this engaging episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick interviews Renee Moorefield, a pioneering leader in human-centered leadership for over 25 years. Renee, the CEO and co-founder of Wisdom Works Group, has been instrumental in transforming how leaders build thriving organizations. Wisdom Works offers innovative resources and guidance to create workplaces and leadership practices that foster well-being and success. Renee discusses the development of her intellectual property (IP). Her extensive experience in global companies highlighted a critical need: leaders often overlook human factors while focusing on financial and technical performance. Observing this trend, she brought her insights to the University of Colorado's business school, aiming to scientifically explore the factors that contribute to thriving and stress resilience in leadership. This led to the creation of the "Framework of Thriving" under the "Be Well, Lead Well Pulse Assessment" platform. This framework redefines what it means to thrive, helping leaders understand the essential elements for success in complex environments. Wisdom Works is now scaling its impact by working with global organizations, especially in the food and consumer goods industries. They conduct one-on-one sessions, team workshops, and organization-wide assessments to identify areas of high and low thriving. This holistic approach introduces new metrics for measuring organizational success and fosters meaningful conversations about well-being. Additionally, Renee's team certifies individuals in various industries to implement their tools, creating a network of approximately 225 certified Guides. Peter and Renee discuss the differences between internal and external certified guides, highlighting the unique challenges and benefits of each approach. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the value of their tools, increasing demand for internal coaches equipped to navigate stressful times. Ensuring the quality and consistency of their certified guides is paramount for Renee. The program sets clear expectations for knowledge, skills, and abilities, relying on an honor system for self-assessment and continuous feedback. With a 94% return on investment rate, the program's effectiveness is evident, consistently meeting participants' needs and enhancing their capabilities. Three Key Takeaways: • Human-Centered Leadership is Essential: Renee Moorefield emphasizes the importance of focusing on human factors in leadership, highlighting how financial and technical performance often overshadow the well-being of people and organizational culture. Leaders need to prioritize creating thriving, sustainable environments. • Scalable, Science-Based Frameworks: The "Framework of Thriving" and the "Be Well, Lead Well Pulse Assessment" offer a scientifically grounded approach to understanding and fostering leadership that promotes resilience and thriving. This framework helps organizations identify areas of high and low thriving, driving better performance and well-being. • Certified Guides Enhance Impact: Certifying individuals in various industries to use Wisdom Works' tools has expanded their reach and effectiveness. With approximately 225 certified guides, the program ensures consistent quality and effectiveness, as demonstrated by a 94% return on investment rate, meeting the evolving needs of leaders and organizations. Want to learn more about customized training? Be sure to watch this short video where Peter Winick discusses How much customization is needed while developing training.

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick sits down with Elizabeth Lotardo, author of "Leading Yourself: Find More Joy, Meaning, and Opportunities in the Job You Already Have," to explore her journey into thought leadership. Elizabeth, a consultant, Harvard Business Review contributor, and LinkedIn Learning instructor, shares her inspiring story and insights. Elizabeth's journey into thought leadership began with a powerful act of defiance. After quitting her job at an ad agency due to a toxic culture and lack of opportunity, she penned a raw and passionate article titled "Why Millennials Keep Dumping You. An Open Letter to Management." This article went viral, resonating deeply with professionals who felt unheard and undervalued. Elizabeth and Peter delve into the nature of viral content and the power of authentic, heartfelt writing. Going viral brought both support and criticism. Elizabeth discusses the mixed reactions and how she managed the rough comments alongside the positive feedback. This experience led her to write more on engagement from a Millennial perspective, eventually leading to her involvement with LinkedIn Learning. Transitioning from writing articles to creating courses for LinkedIn Learning was a new challenge for Elizabeth. She shares how LinkedIn helped her transform her engaging writing style into actionable, educational content. The key was to maintain authenticity while adapting to the platform's demands, focusing on engagement and retention. Elizabeth's upcoming book, "Leading Yourself," is set to release in Fall 2024. It addresses how to find joy, meaning, and opportunity in less-than-perfect jobs. Drawing from her decade-long consulting experience, Elizabeth highlights how mindset, behaviors, and relationships can transform one's work experience. Inspired by the success of her LinkedIn course during the COVID-19 pandemic, she realized the growing need for this topic. In addition to her book, Elizabeth is developing a video version and corresponding training programs. These resources aim to help organizations instill the mindsets discussed in her book, empowering employees to create positive changes in their work environments. Three Key Takeaways: • Elizabeth's viral article, "Why Millennials Keep Dumping You," succeeded because of its genuine, passionate approach. Authenticity in thought leadership can resonate deeply with audiences and drive engagement. • Transitioning from writing articles to creating courses for LinkedIn Learning required Elizabeth to adapt her writing style while maintaining authenticity. Thought leaders must recognize and play to the strengths of each medium they engage with. • Elizabeth's upcoming book, "Leading Yourself," emphasizes the importance of mindset in finding joy, meaning, and opportunity in one's job. A positive mindset can empower individuals to thrive in less-than-perfect work environments. If you are interested in additional LinkedIn Learning courses be sure to check out the content from Leveraging Thought Leadership.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman sits down with Phil Geldart, CEO of Eagle's Flight, to discuss his innovative approach to leadership and learning. With his upcoming book, "Leading What Matters Most: A Business Parable on Unlocking Human Potential," set to release later in 2024, Geldart shares insights from his transformative career. Early in his career, Geldart faced a daunting challenge: engaging a skeptical audience who believed they had nothing to learn. Hired by a company indifferent to training, he devised a unique strategy. Phil created a desert survival board game and persuaded reluctant factory workers to play. The game's unexpected effectiveness, leading them to realize the principles could enhance their work, marked the birth of experiential learning. Building on the success of his innovative training methods, Geldart authored his first book, "In Your Hands: The Behaviors of a World-Class Leader." By breaking down complex leadership concepts into digestible sections with practical illustrations, he provided an accessible tool for personal and professional growth. His subsequent books, like "EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Changing Behavior to Improve Performance," further solidified his reputation as a pioneer in experiential learning. Despite his success, Geldart humbly resisted the label of a thought leader until his Senior Head of Marketing pointed out his influence. Focused on creating real change, Geldart emphasizes the importance of adding value to others' lives over seeking recognition. This perspective shapes his and Sherman's discussion on the true essence of thought leadership, defined more by impact than titles. Geldart sees the modern workforce as young, informed, and value-driven, requiring a shift in leadership approaches. His new book aims to address this by equipping leaders with tools to unlock human potential. Partnering with Forbes, Geldart plans to leverage their platform to reach busy CEOs, planting seeds of thought leadership that can flourish when the time is right. To amplify his message, Geldart combines client referrals with strategic exposure through Forbes. Understanding the challenge of capturing a CEO's attention, he underscores the importance of consistent, value-driven engagement. By doing so, he aims to position the unlocking of human potential as a priority with significant returns for organizations. • Innovative Training Through Experiential Learning: Phil Geldart's use of a desert survival board game effectively engaged skeptical factory workers, demonstrating the power of experiential learning in transforming attitudes and behaviors. This approach laid the foundation for his successful career in developing innovative training methods. • Accessible Leadership Insights: Geldart's books, including "In Your Hands: The Behaviors of a World-Class Leader" and "EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING: Changing Behavior to Improve Performance," break down complex concepts into practical, easy-to-understand sections. These resources provide actionable insights for leaders seeking to enhance their skills and drive organizational performance. • Leveraging Thought Leadership for Impact: Despite initially resisting the label of a thought leader, Geldart recognized the importance of sharing his knowledge to add value to others. His strategic partnership with Forbes aims to amplify his message, reaching influential CEOs and helping them unlock human potential within their organizations.

In this compelling episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Peter Winick dives deep with Matt Hullander, a versatile entrepreneur from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Hullander, who has ventured into real estate development, e-commerce, private equity, recently authored the inspiring book "The Daily Climb: 10 Principles to Change Your Life." Today, he shares his transformative journey from business mogul to author. After selling his successful home improvement company in 2021, Hullander faced a life-altering cancer scare. This experience shifted his perspective, prompting him to reflect on his purpose. At 50, he felt compelled to share his life lessons and stories to benefit others. Proceeds from his book, "The Daily Climb," support teenage suicide prevention (The Jason Foundation), demonstrating his commitment to making a difference. Hullander's book challenges traditional goal-setting paradigms, advocating for a vision-driven approach. He emphasizes building habits that align with the life you want, rather than merely setting goals. Other principles include the importance of finding a guide, akin to his fly-fishing mentor, and the value of surrounding oneself with a supportive tribe. Writing the "The Daily Climb" has created unexpected opportunities, opening new doors for Hullander, expanding his network beyond Tennessee and into various industries. The book has also led to speaking engagements, enhancing his credibility and setting him apart in his field. Hullander encourages aspiring authors to leverage hybrid and self-publishing models. He highlights the importance of seeking guidance, sharing how his publisher, Foresight Publishers, helped him shape his book's content and design. His message is clear: with the right support, anyone can bring their book to life. Three Key Takeaways: • Embrace Life's Challenges as Opportunities: Matt Hullander's cancer scare transformed his outlook, leading him to share his experiences and insights through his book, "The Daily Climb." This illustrates the importance of turning personal challenges into opportunities for growth and contribution. • Vision Over Goals: Hullander advocates for a vision-driven approach rather than traditional goal-setting. By focusing on the habits and lifestyle that align with your envisioned future, you can create lasting change and achieve a more fulfilling life. • Seek Guidance and Build a Supportive Tribe: Hullander emphasizes the value of having mentors and a supportive community. Whether through a life coach, business guide, or peer groups, surrounding yourself with knowledgeable and supportive individuals can significantly enhance your success and personal growth. If you have a vision for your business, then you'll want to check out this article How Are You Applying Your Vision by Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of Thought Leadership Leverage, host Bill Sherman sits down with Clemence Sop, the Head of Marketing Innovation at InterSystems, for an insightful discussion on marketing high-ticket items, leveraging digital platforms, and the power of thought leadership. Clemence shares her fascinating journey from yacht sales to marketing innovation, highlighting the complexity and strategy involved in selling luxury items. She delves into the concept of a cultivation strategist, emphasizing the importance of digital knowledge and social listening to engage potential buyers at the right moment. Drawing from real-life experiences, Clemence explains how using LinkedIn and celebrity brand ambassadors can build trust and nurture relationships with high-profile clients. She illustrates how positioning oneself as a trusted advisor can enhance visibility and engagement, even with audiences outside the initial target group. Bill and Clemence explore her career transition from supply chain engineering to big data and social media, driven by her curiosity about the future impact of collective intelligence and connection data on human behavior and business. In her current role, Clemence spearheads innovative marketing solutions to tackle existing challenges. She narrates a compelling story about addressing thought leadership needs in Belgium's healthcare system through the "One Patient, One Record" initiative. By sharing personal stories and building a community around patient data challenges, InterSystems was able to foster trust and drive meaningful change. The episode concludes with a discussion on overcoming mental and spam filters in today's saturated digital landscape. Clemence emphasizes the necessity of targeting a specific audience, creating relevant content, and establishing authentic connections through thought leadership. Tune in to learn from Clemence Sop's unique experiences and insights on transforming marketing strategies through innovation and thought leadership. Three Key Takeaways: • Strategic Digital Engagement: Clemence Sop emphasizes the importance of leveraging digital knowledge and social listening to effectively engage potential buyers. By cultivating relationships through targeted digital networking and positioning oneself as a trusted advisor, brands can enhance their visibility and build trust with high-profile clients. • The Power of Personal Stories in Thought Leadership: The "One Patient, One Record" initiative showcases the effectiveness of using personal stories to address pain points and build a community. By sharing authentic experiences and focusing on the emotional aspects of patient data challenges, InterSystems was able to establish trust and drive meaningful conversations in the healthcare sector. • Navigating Content Saturation: In a world overwhelmed with digital content, it is crucial to target specific audiences with relevant and purposeful content. Clemence highlights the need for authenticity and relevance in thought leadership, ensuring that content not only reaches but resonates with the intended audience, thereby overcoming mental and spam filters. If you want to learn more about thought leadership marketing check out this article Decoding Thought Leadership Marketing: A Blueprint for Success by Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman engages with Steve Wunker, Managing Director of New Market Advisors and co-author of the groundbreaking book The Innovative Leader: Step-By-Step Lessons from Top Innovators For You and Your Organization. Join them as they delve into the intricacies of fostering innovation within organizations and cultivating innovative leadership. Steve Wunker shares the core essence of The Innovative Leader, emphasizing its focus on the practical "how" of innovation. Drawing from interviews with 50 top innovative leaders and two decades of professional experience, the book provides actionable insights for individuals and organizations aiming to embrace innovation effectively. Delving into the genesis of the book, Wunker explains the rationale behind merging leadership and innovation, bridging a crucial gap in existing literature. He recounts his journey collaborating with luminaries like Clayton Christensen and Fred Reichheld, emphasizing the transformative power of distilling complex concepts into compelling narratives. The Innovative Leader isn't just another book; it's a culmination of rigorous research and inductive conversations aimed at demystifying innovation. Wunker sheds light on the book's data-driven approach, underscored by the belief that innovation is fundamentally about systems rather than sporadic bursts of inspiration. As they explore the strategies for book promotion, Wunker emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between broad outreach and deep engagement. From social media blitzes to keynote speeches and immersive articles, the book's marketing campaign is meticulously crafted to resonate with diverse audiences. Looking ahead, Wunker envisions The Innovative Leader as a seminal work shaping the landscape of innovative leadership for years to come. With aspirations for it to become a staple on the shelves of aspiring and seasoned leaders alike, Wunker underscores the importance of continuous engagement and dissemination across various platforms. Tune in to this episode for invaluable insights into building a culture of innovation and unlocking the potential of leadership in driving meaningful change within organizations. Three Key Takeaways: • Innovation is Systematic: The episode emphasizes that innovation isn't merely a stroke of luck or genius but a systematic process. By understanding and implementing effective systems, individuals and organizations can foster a culture of innovation and sustain it over time. • Practical Actionability: The Innovative Leader stands out for its emphasis on practicality and actionability. It fills the gap in existing literature by providing step-by-step guidance for leaders and managers who aspire to drive innovation within their organizations, offering tangible strategies derived from real-world experiences. • Comprehensive Marketing Strategy: Wunker highlights the significance of a comprehensive marketing strategy for launching a book successfully. By combining broad outreach through platforms like social media with deep engagement via keynote speeches, articles, and podcasts, authors can maximize their book's impact and ensure its longevity in the market. If you want to learn more about balancing Innovation and Integration be sure to check out this article by Thought Leadership Leverage founder and CEO Peter Winick.

In this episode of "Leveraging Thought Leadership," host Peter Winick sits down with Tony Martignetti, Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer at Inspired Purpose Partners, author of climbing The Right Mountain: Navigating the Journey to An Inspired Life and host of the Virtual Campfire podcast. Tony shares his journey into the world of thought leadership, which began not from a clear plan, but through a series of life shifts that revealed a deeper passion for guiding leaders in chaotic times. Tony describes how his path transitioned from finance and strategy roles in biotech to thought leadership and executive coaching. Despite success in his previous careers, he felt something was missing. Growing up, Tony had a creative side, known for his art, but societal expectations pushed him toward pre-med and then business. The discomfort of being in the wrong field led him to re-evaluate his career, ultimately deciding to forge his own path. He emphasizes the importance of creating your own place when you don't fit in elsewhere, using curiosity and exploration to discover where you belong. His approach to finding his niche combined a balance of passion, skill, and market demand. Tony introduces his guiding philosophy, "Expand your vision, narrow your focus," encouraging exploration before narrowing down on a specific area to serve. By having "curiosity conversations," he was able to understand the problems and pain points of others, leading him to his current role as an executive coach for tech leaders. Tony's clients are typically in the tech industry, where his unique perspective aligns well with innovative thinkers. He helps chief technology officers, chief science officers, and chief strategy officers communicate their technical ideas to a broader audience and break down silos within their organizations. Through his work, he facilitates better communication among teams and creates a collaborative environment for leaders. While most of his work requires being physically present with his clients, Tony is considering productizing some aspects of his coaching to offer more scalable solutions in the future. He acknowledges the challenge many thought leaders face with marketing and sales and shares his three-part strategy to overcome it: "Affiliate, Associate, Collaborate." This approach involves partnering with other experts, engaging in professional groups, and collaborating with others to create greater impact. Overall, this episode delves into Tony's journey from a traditional career path to becoming a thought leader in the tech industry. It highlights his insights into building connections, fostering communication, and navigating the challenges of a rapidly hanging world. Three Key Takeaways: • Forge Your Own Path: Tony Martignetti's journey illustrates that career paths are not always linear. He transitioned from finance and strategy roles in biotech to thought leadership in tech, emphasizing that sometimes you need to create the place where you belong rather than trying to fit into predefined roles. He encourages people to use curiosity and exploration to find their unique path. • Expand Your Vision, Narrow Your Focus: Tony's guiding philosophy underscores the importance of exploring a wide range of possibilities before honing in on a specific niche. This approach allows for a broader understanding of where one can make the most impact before concentrating efforts on a particular area. Through "curiosity conversations," he was able to understand others' needs and pain points, guiding him to his current role as an executive coach for tech leaders. • Affiliate, Associate, Collaborate: Tony shares his strategy for overcoming the marketing and sales challenges that many thought leaders face. This three-part approach involves affiliating with other experts to offer comprehensive solutions, associating with professional groups for personal and business development, and collaborating with others to create greater impact. These steps highlight the importance of building relationships and leveraging a network to succeed in thought leadership.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Bill Sherman dives into the realities of space settlement with Kelly Weinersmith, biologist and adjunct assistant professor at Rice University, and Zach Weinersmith, comic artist and author. Known for their book "Soonish: Ten Emerging Technologies That'll Improve and/or Ruin Everything," the Weinersmiths have recently released "A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?"—a book that raises tough questions about the feasibility and ethics of colonizing new worlds. The episode uncovers some hard truths behind the idea of settling space. While space exploration seems exciting and full of promise, the Weinersmiths caution that many of the technological, biological, and social challenges remain unsolved. In their book, they explore whether the dream of building new worlds in space is achievable or could lead to unexpected consequences. Kelly and Zach discuss the evolution of their book's thesis—from an optimistic view of imminent space settlement to a more nuanced, realistic perspective. They reveal how their research journey influenced this shift, sharing the complexities of dealing with sensitive topics and the mixed reactions they received from the space community. While some experts supported their critical approach, others reacted with resistance and disappointment. The episode also touches on the importance of humor in science communication. The Weinersmiths explain how humor helps make complex ideas more accessible and engaging. Their book, filled with witty illustrations and anecdotes, balances deep scientific insights with a lighthearted touch, providing a unique take on the question of space colonization. Bill and his guests explore the broader implications of space settlement, examining potential issues such as the environmental impact, the governance of space colonies, and the psychological effects of living in confined, isolated environments. The conversation also highlights the importance of empirical evidence and the rigorous research methods employed by the Weinersmiths, who sought input from a wide range of experts to build a comprehensive view of space settlement's challenges and opportunities. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode for a deep dive into the reality of space exploration, the impact of metaphor on our understanding of complex concepts, and the role of humor in making science accessible. Whether you're a CEO, leadership coach, entrepreneur, or thought leader, you'll find valuable insights into why space settlement might be more complicated than it seems—and why a critical perspective is essential as we look to the stars. Three Key Takeaways: • The Challenges of Space Settlement Are Complex and Multidisciplinary Kelly and Zach Weinersmith's book, "A City on Mars," explores the myriad challenges of space settlement, from technological to biological, psychological, and legal issues. Their extensive research reveals that many unresolved questions make the idea of colonizing Mars or other celestial bodies far more complex than it might seem. They underscore that successful space settlement requires significant advancements in multiple fields, and many assumptions about its feasibility may not hold up under scrutiny. • Humor as a Tool for Science Communication The Weinersmiths demonstrate the importance of humor in making complex scientific topics accessible and engaging. They explain how humor can be used to break down barriers and keep audiences interested, even when discussing dense subjects like space law or the psychological effects of isolation. By weaving humor into their work, they make the science approachable while still maintaining accuracy and depth. • The Impact of Metaphors on Perception The guests discuss how metaphors can shape our understanding of complex concepts like space exploration. Zach Weinersmith points out that metaphors, like the "wagon train in space" analogy from Star Trek, can both guide and limit our perception of what space settlement entails. This observation underscores the importance of critically examining the stories and metaphors we use to describe emerging technologies and scientific endeavors, as they can influence public opinion and expectations.

In this episode of the Thought Leadership Leverage podcast, host Peter Winick sits down with Robert Hargrove, founder and CEO of Masterful Coaching, co-founder of the Harvard Leadership Project, and author of ten influential books, including "Masterful Coaching." This insightful discussion explores the evolving landscape of thought leadership, focusing on the shifting dynamics in publishing and the rise of social media. Robert shares his unique perspective on how publishing has transformed over the years. During a recent visit to a Barnes & Noble, he noticed that most books in business and politics were authored by thought leaders. However, when he browsed LinkedIn, he observed a wave of recycled content from decades ago, repackaged as something new. This led to a conversation about how thought leadership has moved from long-form content, such as books, to short-form content on social media. While social media provides rapid access to ideas, Robert and Peter discuss the significant difference in depth and quality between reading a book and scanning a LinkedIn post. Defining thought leadership, Robert describes it as presenting a big idea that is eye-opening, brain-tingling, and paradigm- shifting. He emphasizes that the idea doesn't need to be entirely original but should offer a new perspective or improve upon existing concepts. He uses Marty Neumeier's "Brand Flip" as an example of how traditional ideas can be approached in a fresh way. The conversation delves into the nuances of thought leadership on social media, addressing the importance of civil discourse and respectful disagreement. Robert stresses that engaging with others' ideas and leaving thoughtful comments can foster a healthy exchange and build new relationships. He also discusses his journey into podcasting and the impact of verbal interactions on the audience, highlighting how even non-groundbreaking conversations can spark meaningful thoughts among listeners. Finally, Robert and Peter share their favorite podcasts and writers, such as Malcolm Gladwell and Adam Grant, comparing their unique styles in both book and podcast formats. Tune in to explore the evolution of thought leadership and gain insights into how to navigate and succeed in this changing landscape. Three Key Takeaways: • Shift from Long-Form to Short-Form Thought Leadership: The landscape of thought leadership has shifted from long-form content, like books, to short-form content on social media platforms. While this change offers accessibility and immediacy, it can lead to a reduction in depth and quality. Robert Hargrove discusses how, in the past, a book was a hallmark of thought leadership, but today, many thought leaders focus on shorter, more digestible content. This shift requires a balanced approach to maintain quality while reaching a broader audience. • Redefining Thought Leadership: Thought leadership is not just about creating original ideas; it's about presenting concepts in a way that is eye-opening, paradigm-shifting, or improving upon existing ideas. Robert emphasizes that thought leadership can be delivered through various mediums, including speeches, podcasts, and social media, not just books. He cites Marty Neumeier's "Brand Flip" as an example of presenting traditional ideas with a fresh perspective, highlighting that thought leadership can be achieved without a book. •Civility and Respect in Social Media Discourse: The episode explores the dynamics of thought leadership on social media, where it can be challenging to maintain civility and respect in discussions. Robert suggests that engaging in respectful disagreement, seeking dialogue, and contributing thoughtful comments are crucial for meaningful exchanges. He underscores that these interactions can help build relationships and open doors to new audiences. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where different viewpoints are valued and respected. Whether you publish your content in a book, on social media, or other medium it has to be clear and engaging. Peter Winick and the team at Thought Leadership leverage can help you develop a variety of material for any medium!

In this episode of "Leveraging Thought Leadership" with host Peter Winick, the guest is Rob Volpe, a keynote speaker, award-winning author, and trainer who focuses on promoting empathy in the workplace. Volpe is the author of "Tell Me More About That: Solving the Empathy Crisis One Conversation at a Time," and founder and chairman of Ignite 360, a marketing and research firm that emphasizes empathy. Volpe discusses his journey to becoming a thought leader, starting from a background in Hollywood where he became interested in marketing and understanding human behavior. His journey eventually led him to realize that empathy was the key to his success. Through storytelling, he shares how empathy can be used to understand others and build better relationships, which also contributes to improving business outcomes. He recounts his experience growing up in a small town in Indiana, where he used empathy as a survival skill to navigate bullying. This led him to understand others' perspectives, even when he didn't agree with them, and helped him develop a communication style that fostered positive relationships. Volpe addresses the question of whether empathy is innate or developed. He likens it to a muscle that needs constant exercise to grow stronger, emphasizing that leaders should promote empathetic cultures. However, he notes that many CEOs struggle with empathy, as they fear losing respect if they show vulnerability in the workplace. Despite these challenges, Volpe believes that a culture of empathy can improve business metrics. Studies are emerging that support this idea, demonstrating that empathetic organizations perform better over time. The challenge, however, lies in changing long-held beliefs about workplace dynamics and encouraging a shift toward embracing emotional intelligence (EQ). Finally, Volpe discusses the services he offers through Ignite 360 and his keynotes. His audience includes professional workplaces where empathy can improve customer service, finance, and other functions that require a higher degree of emotional intelligence. He provides training and presentations that help organizations understand and apply empathy to create better work environments. Three Key Takeaways: • Empathy as a Core Skill: Rob Volpe emphasizes the importance of empathy in both personal and professional contexts. He shares how empathy can be developed like a muscle through consistent practice and active engagement. This skill not only improves workplace dynamics but also enhances customer relationships and overall business performance. • The Role of Empathy in Leadership: Many CEOs recognize the need for empathy in fostering a positive workplace culture, yet many struggle with vulnerability and fear of losing respect. Volpe underscores the importance of empathetic leadership in setting the tone for an organization, encouraging a shift toward embracing emotional intelligence (EQ) despite long-held corporate beliefs. • Empathy's Impact on Business Success: Volpe discusses studies that demonstrate a correlation between empathetic organizations and better business outcomes. He points out that while industries like tech and healthcare may not traditionally prioritize empathy, they can benefit from embracing it to improve customer experiences and employee satisfaction. His work at Ignite 360 aims to help organizations build empathetic cultures to drive better performance over time. Rob's business is empathy but it can be hard to create offerings around soft skills. If you have big ideas around EQ but are struggling to bring that content to your audience in a meaningful way, Peter Winick and the Thought Leadership Leverage team can help you!

In this episode, we dive into the often-discussed but seldom addressed divide between academics and practitioners in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) field. We welcome two esteemed guests: Dr. Amanda Diekman, Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences and Associate Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs at Indiana University, and Jayshree Seth, Chief Science Advocate and Corporate Scientist at 3M. Dr. Diekman acknowledges the existence of a gap between academia and industry, suggesting that it persists partly because people believe it does. However, she emphasizes that the divide can be bridged through effort, communication, and setting clear expectations. The most immediate impact of academic work is when students apply it in their careers, indicating a strong need for better alignment between academic research and industry practice. Jayshree Seth uses the metaphor of "paths not taken" to explain the academic-practitioner divide. She points out that when people stick to the familiar, the less-traveled routes become increasingly invisible. To bridge the gap, individuals must step out of their comfort zones and embrace new approaches, even if it means learning new rules and navigating uncharted territory. Jayshree and Amanda share a common interest in understanding why women, who earn STEM degrees, often do not pursue careers in STEM. Jayshree approached this issue from a social science perspective, seeking ways to ensure persistence among women in STEM fields. Amanda, with a background in gender roles and representation, found stability in the gender distribution within STEM unexplained by conventional narratives. Their collaboration aimed to identify and address the signals that deter women and minorities from engaging with STEM. Jayshree's role as Chief Science Advocate at 3M emerged from the company's efforts to understand public perception of science, which revealed that many people believed science had little impact on their lives. This realization motivated her to advocate for science and connect with like-minded researchers like Amanda. Amanda's research on gender roles and communal goals resonated with Jayshree's experience, leading to their collaboration. Amanda and Jayshree conducted a study to examine how goal congruity, the alignment between personal goals and workplace or academic values, affects students' engagement in STEM. They focused on communal goals, recognizing that a lack of context, collaboration, and empowerment might deter underrepresented groups. The study sought to document the psychological benefits of nudging students toward a purpose-driven approach in STEM, highlighting the need to shift the culture to foster inclusion and belonging. Jayshree identifies three critical areas where communal goals play a role in STEM: contextualization, collaboration, and empowerment. She shares her journey of feeling out of place in a male-dominated lab, only to discover the importance of her work later. At 3M, she found these communal goals embraced, contributing to a more inclusive environment. The PRISM (Purpose Reflection in STEM Modalities) project is an effort to provide practical tools for STEM faculty to create assignments that encourage students to reflect on their purpose and engage in meaningful conversations. This initiative, funded by 3M, aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, promoting STEM equity and supporting minoritized talent pipelines. Both Amanda and Jayshree share their visions for the future. Jayshree hopes to see the PRISM curriculum become mandatory in STEM classes, fostering a sense of belonging and encouraging students to align their goals with communal values. Amanda envisions a broader cultural shift that creates more space for diverse values and perspectives in STEM, ultimately leading to increased retention and success among faculty and students alike. Join us as we explore these critical topics and uncover actionable steps to bridge the gap between academia and industry in STEM, ultimately creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all. Three Key Takeaways: • Bridging the Academic-Practitioner Divide: The divide between academia and industry in STEM is real but can be overcome with better communication, clearer expectations, and a focus on shared goals. Both academic researchers and industry practitioners need to explore untaken paths and learn from each other to close this gap. • The Role of Goal Congruity in STEM: The concept of goal congruity—alignment between personal goals and workplace or academic values—is critical in encouraging underrepresented groups to pursue and persist in STEM careers. The lack of communal goals, such as collaboration and empowerment, can create barriers for women and minorities. Addressing these gaps can increase inclusivity and belonging. • The PRISM Project and Cultural Change: The PRISM (Purpose Reflection in STEM Modalities) project is designed to provide practica

Join us for a riveting episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership as host Bill Sherman welcomes Dr. Dravon James, a renowned public speaker, life coach, and the host of the weekly live radio program, "Everyday Peace" on the Unity Online Radio Network. In this enlightening conversation, Dr. James shares her inspirational journey into thought leadership, which began at the age of 17 when she stumbled upon the transformative book "The Power of Positive Thinking." This encounter sparked a profound realization - she already had access to everything she needed to achieve her potential! Driven by this newfound insight, Dr. James embarked on a mission to empower others, unleash their innate abilities, and embrace a mindset of positivity and resilience. As Dr. James delves into her thought leadership platform, "Everyday Peace," she reveals how she seamlessly integrated principles of peace and wholeness into her professional endeavors, particularly in the field of pharmacy. By infusing her lectures with insights on cultivating inner peace amidst life's challenges, she witnessed a profound impact on her audience's well-being and mindset. Through her keynote speaking engagements and writings, Dr. James continues to spread her message of empowerment, encouraging individuals to redefine their perceptions of stress and adversity, and embrace a "can do" attitude rooted in self-awareness and acceptance. Drawing upon her background in acting, Dr. James illuminates the connection between presence, authenticity, and effective communication in thought leadership. She shares valuable insights on utilizing acting techniques to connect with diverse audiences authentically, emphasizing the importance of being fully present in the moment to foster genuine connections and empathy. As the conversation unfolds, Dr. James offers practical advice for aspiring thought leaders, advocating for the Meisner Technique as a powerful tool for cultivating empathy and understanding in professional interactions. She also provides a glimpse into her upcoming venture in thought leadership, a forthcoming book on forgiveness, highlighting the emotional challenges and rewards of navigating this transformative journey. This will be Dr. James' the second book after "Freedom Is Your Birthright", which teaches how to attain internal freedom, an essential ingredient on the exciting journey to Everday Peace. Don't miss this captivating episode as Dr. Davron James shares her invaluable wisdom and insights on leading with purpose, authenticity, and everyday peace. Tune in to Leveraging Thought Leadership and embark on your own journey of empowerment and transformation. Three Key Takeaways: • Inner Potential Unleashed: Dr. Davron James's journey underscores the transformative power of self-belief and inner exploration. Her encounter with "The Power of Positive Thinking" at a young age ignited a realization that everything she needed to succeed was already within her grasp. This highlights the importance of self-awareness and tapping into one's innate potential to drive personal and professional growth. • Everyday Peace: Through her thought leadership platform, "Everyday Peace," Dr. James emphasizes the significance of finding peace and wholeness amidst life's challenges. By incorporating principles of positivity and resilience into her professional endeavors, she empowers individuals to redefine their perceptions of stress and adversity. This takeaway underscores the importance of cultivating a mindset of gratitude and acceptance to navigate life's ups and downs with grace and resilience. • Authentic Connection: Dr. James's insights on leveraging acting techniques to foster authentic connections underscore the importance of presence and empathy in thought leadership. By being fully present in the moment and embracing vulnerability, thought leaders can forge genuine connections with their audience and inspire meaningful change. This takeaway highlights the transformative impact of authentic communication in fostering empathy, understanding, and positive change. If you are like Dr. James and have an idea you need to share with the world, Bill Sherman has some additional advice that can help you make the platform for that idea powerful!

Join us for an enlightening conversation on the latest episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership with esteemed guest Dr. Helen Mesier, a trailblazer in the field of translational medicine. Dr. Mesier shares her remarkable journey from a childhood dream of becoming a family doctor to her current role at Fountain Life, where she is pioneering groundbreaking approaches to healthcare. During our discussion, Dr. Mesier candidly reveals the challenges she encountered in bridging the gap between scientific research and clinical practice. With a deep commitment to applying cutting-edge science to patient care, she recognized the critical need for more proactive and preventive measures in addressing the rising tide of chronic diseases. This realization led her to Fountain Life, where she is leading efforts to shift the conversation around medicine from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. At Fountain Life, Dr. Mesier and her team are revolutionizing healthcare by adopting a proactive approach to screening and preventive care, even in asymptomatic individuals. By challenging traditional healthcare paradigms and leveraging innovative strategies, they aim to empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. Throughout our conversation, Dr. Mesier shares valuable insights into the importance of collaboration and thought leadership in driving meaningful change in healthcare. From engaging policymakers and industry stakeholders to collaborating with fellow thought leaders, she emphasizes the power of collective action in advancing the field of medicine. Tune in to this thought-provoking episode as Dr. Helen Mesier shares her expertise and vision for the future of healthcare. Whether you're a healthcare professional, thought leader, or executive, you won't want to miss this insightful discussion on the evolving landscape of medicine and the critical role of proactive healthcare in shaping a healthier future for all. Three Key Takeaways: Proactive Healthcare: Dr. Mesier emphasizes the importance of shifting the healthcare paradigm from reactive treatment to proactive prevention. By implementing proactive screening and preventive measures, individuals can take control of their health and address potential health risks before they escalate into chronic diseases. Collaborative Approach: Collaboration is essential in driving meaningful change in healthcare. Dr. Mesier highlights the power of collective action, whether through engaging policymakers, collaborating with industry stakeholders, or partnering with fellow thought leaders. By working together, healthcare professionals can leverage their collective expertise to advance the field and improve patient outcomes. Evidence-Based Practice: Dr. Mesier underscores the importance of evidence-based practice in healthcare. From conducting rigorous research to publishing peer-reviewed articles, she emphasizes the need to substantiate innovative approaches with scientific evidence. By demonstrating efficacy and credibility, healthcare professionals can garner support for new initiatives and inspire confidence among patients and stakeholders. If you want your content to reach your primary audience but are struggling to identify them reach out to Peter Winick to discuss getting help developing an editorial plan that will bring your best ideas to those who can have the most impact!