The Problem Solver Approach to Thought Leadership

If you’re among the crowd that views the phrase "thought leader" as business buzzword, I present to you a workable replacement:

Problem solver.

In many ways, solving problems is what the best thought leaders do. They offer up solutions and insights to address the biggest and most vexing challenges their audiences face.

Viewing thought leadership from a problem solver perspective can be a liberating experience. It takes a somewhat ambiguous term and turns it into something that is instructive and actionable.

This approach can also be useful in focusing your thinking to develop good content.

Start with the big problems facing your field, your key stakeholders, or your organization. Then work back from there, capturing your insights and approach to solving these challenges.

Out of this exercise you can likely unearth some gems that can be the seeds of great thought leadership…make that problem solver… content.