Leveraging Thought Leadership  By  cover art

Leveraging Thought Leadership

By: Peter Winick and Bill Sherman
  • Summary

  • Welcome to the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast, a beacon illuminating the paths and possibilities of thought leadership. With your guides, Peter Winick and Bill Sherman, we will embark on a journey into a captivating world where ideas converge with strategy and insight. Where will thought leadership take you? In each episode, we engage with thought leaders from diverse backgrounds. Whether it’s professional keynote speaking, writing your own thought leadership book, investigating the niche expertise of specialized consultants, or crossing mental swords with distinguished academics, our guests collectively paint a vivid mosaic of thought leadership's multifaceted potential. Through nuanced perspectives and rich experience, our talented co-hosts aim to offer you views of the ways independent thought leaders navigate success, elevate talent, and change company culture – while simultaneously examining how organizations harness the power of thought leadership to catalyze innovation and nurture sustainable growth. Peter Winick is your guide through the realm of independent thought leadership. For the past two decades, he has helped individuals and organizations build and grow revenue streams through designing and growing their thought leadership platforms as well as acting as a guide and advisor for increasing business to business sales of thought leadership products. Peter is the Founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Leverage. His clients come from a diverse set of backgrounds and specialties. They include New York Times bestselling business book authors, members of the Speakers’ Hall of Fame, recipients of the Thinkers50 award, CEOs of public and privately held companies, and academics at prestigious institutions such as Yale, Wharton, Dartmouth, and London School of Business. With a keen eye for detail, he delves into the intricacies of crafting personal brands, fostering genuine engagement with audiences, and expertly monetizing one's expertise. From the artistry of crafting keynote speeches that resonate with audiences to the strategic deployment of bestselling books as conduits for inspiration and insight, Peter's guests offer a treasure trove of strategies for creating value and impact and driving revenue through thought leadership. Bill Sherman specializes in the exploration of organizational thought leadership. He examines how companies conceive, curate, and deploy thought leadership initiatives, and how those initiatives benefit the orgs and the people who work within them. Bill listens to the stories and advice of industry leaders and their triumphs within the competitive business landscape. Whether through the dissemination of white papers that shape industry discourse, webinars that educate and engage, or insightful executive blogs that offer thought leadership at the highest echelons of corporate governance, Bill's guests provide illuminating perspectives on the evolution of organizational thought leadership and its pivotal role in shaping industry paradigms and perceptions. Bill concentrates on organizational consulting and business expertise, investigating organizational thought leadership and its effects, from instructional design and learning product development to marketing strategy and execution, to organizational development and transformational consulting. He enjoys working with business leaders, speakers, authors, academics, and other consultants, connecting their ideas organizational platforms and enterprise-ready product development. As the series unfolds, Peter and Bill will lead us through a nuanced exploration of the latest trends and advancements in thought leadership. From the transformative impact of technology on communication and collaboration to the evolving preferences of consumers in an increasingly digital marketplace, they will dissect the shifting landscape with precision and insight. Moreover, they will shine a spotlight on emerging modalities that are reshaping the contours of thought leadership, from the ascendance of virtual events as a cornerstone of engagement to the growing influence of social media platforms as conduits for thought dissemination and audience interaction. Through their discerning analysis, they will reveal how thought leaders can adeptly harness these trends to amplify their reach, captivate new audiences, and maximize their influence in an ever-evolving business environment. Whether you find yourself at the height of your career as a seasoned thought leader, or whether you stand at the threshold of possibility as an aspiring entrepreneur, the Leveraging Thought Leadership podcast offers an enriching voyage of discovery. Join us as we unravel the enigmatic secrets to success in the vibrant realm of thought leadership, where ideas have the power to shape perceptions, drive change, and inspire action. Together, let us explore how you, too, can engineer value, evoke impact, and cultivate revenue through the sheer power of your ideas and ...
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Episodes
  • The Effective Founder’s Blueprint | Martin Gonzalez | 576
    Jun 16 2024
    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.
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    41 mins
  • Human-Centered Leadership | Renee Moorefield | 575
    Jun 13 2024

    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.

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    21 mins
  • Leading Yourself: From Viral Articles to Empowering Workplaces | Elizabeth Lotardo | 574
    Jun 6 2024

    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.

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    20 mins

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