Within their fields, thought leaders are sources of inspiration and innovation. They have the gift of harnessing their expertise and their networks to make their innovative thoughts real and replicable, sparking sustainable change and even creating movements around their ideas. In Ready to Be a Thought Leader?, renowned executive talent agent Denise Brosseau shows readers how to develop and use that gift as she maps the path from successful executive, professional, or civic leader to respected thought leader.

With the author's proven seven-step process—and starting from wherever they are in their careers—readers can set a course for maximum impact in their field. These guidelines, along with stories, tips, and success secrets from those who have successfully made the transition to high-profile thought leader, allow readers to create a long-term plan and start putting it into action today, even if they only have 15 minutes to spare.

• Offers a step-by-step process for becoming a recognized thought leader in your field
• Includes real-world examples from such high-profile thought leaders as Robin Chase, founder and former CEO of Zipcar; Chip Conley, author of PEAK and former CEO of JDV Hospitality; and more
• Written by Denise Brosseau, founder of Thought Leadership Lab, an executive talent agency that helps executives become thought leaders, who has worked with start-up CEOs and leaders from such firms as Apple, Genentech, Symantec, Morgan Stanley, Medtronic, KPMG, DLA Piper, and more

Ready to Be a Thought Leader? offers essential reading for anyone ready to expand their influence, increase their professional success, have an impact far beyond a single organization and industry, and ultimately leave a legacy that matters.

Denise Brosseau is the founder and CEO of Thought Leadership Lab, where she works with executives and entrepreneurs who want to build their visibility, credibility, and thought leadership to enhance their professional success. Her clients include leaders from Apple, Genentech, and Morgan Stanley, as well as startup CEOs, partners in professional service firms, and nonprofit executives. Denise speaks to corporations, associations, and groups nationwide and she is a frequent guest blogger for Inc.com, Chic CEO, and Salesforce. Denise has an MBA from Stanford and in 2012, she was honored by the White House as a Champion of Change.

For more information, please visit thoughtleadershiplab.com

Foreword, Guy Kawasaki xiii

Introduction: What Do You Want to Be Known For? xv

Getting Started: From Leader to Thought Leader 1

1 Find Your Driving Passion 19

2 Build Your Ripples of Influence 41

3 Activate Your Advocates 69

4 Put Your ‘‘I’’ on the Line 99

5 Codify Your Lessons Learned 121

6 Put Yourself on S.H.O.U.T. 147

7 Incite (R)Evolution 183

Conclusion 207

Notes 209

Acknowledgments 221

About the Author 223

Index 225