We are in the most dramatic human transformation the Earth has ever seen. We are currently transitioning from the industrial age to the social age, where technology is getting more advanced by the day, both augmenting and, in some cases, replacing humans. This shift can either boost you and your business or cause you to disappear. What will it take for you to succeed? What can you do to be seen and be heard? Being recognized as an expert or a thought leader is a key factor for success.

The Internet has given everyone a microphone, and there's a lot of noise out there. With so many choices, you need to be recognized as someone who can help others with their pain points. You do this through thought leadership. Thought leaders are recognized experts in their field. No matter which industry you’re in, if you’re a thought leader, others will look to you to solve their problem. As a society, we now do business with those we know, like, and trust. Being recognized as a thought leader is a key component in getting known. Being seen and being heard as a thought leader in today’s world takes more than just speaking. In order for you to be recognized as the person who can solve other’s pain point, you need to be able to connect with people and create relationships of trust and respect.

Thought leadership needs to come from the heart. The sincerity of helping others can make the biggest difference, not just to you but to your client as well. What role does our heart play in being seen and being heard? When we’re passionate about what we do, it shows in everything we do, and people see that. We are seen as someone who loves helping others succeed and that kind of passion attracts people to us.

Thought leadership needs to be seen and demonstrated not just at the individual layer but at the organizational layer. One component of that is conducting fundamental research to better the industry. Another component is having the employees share this content in a helpful, not sales-y way, while building trust in their ecosystem. The individuals in your team need to work together and be in-sync and their goals. Nirvana is to be recognized by your clients and the industry as a thought partner - someone who clients include in their initial thinking process.

Being Seen and Being Heard as a Thought Leader is what individuals and businesses need to do to survive the transition from the industrial age to the social age...and not just survive, but succeed with a vengeance.

Being Seen and Being Heard as a Thought Leader is part of the THiNKaha series, whose slim and handy books contain 140 well-thought-out "aha" messages. Increase your online influence by picking our other books and easily share quotes from this book on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ via: aha.pub/ThoughtLeadership.