You Don’t Need to Be Famous to Be a Thought Leader
You Don’t Need to Be Famous to Be a Thought Leader
Unfortunately, too many lawyers and other service professionals hold back from putting themselves out there. They ask themselves:
“What if I’m not ‘big’ enough?”
“What could I say that others don’t already know?”
But I believe that’s the wrong approach. True thought leadership isn’t about fame. It’s about being helpful.
You don’t need a book deal or a massive following. What you need is to share insights that your clients, your colleagues, and your industry actually need, in a way that’s clear, insightful, and actionable. And you need to do it consistently, even when you don’t feel like it or your super busy.
Real thought leaders don’t wait to be quoted in the Wall Street Journal or Law360. Instead, they:
Break down complex issues into clear takeaways for clients
Share trends or risks before they become problems
Highlight practical strategies and smarter approaches
Educate their audience, not to show off, but to serve
And they don’t wait to be asked.
If you’ve ever:
Written an internal memo to explain a new regulation
Helped a client avoid a costly mistake
Offered clarity during a confusing situation
... you’re already creating valuable thought leadership. You just haven’t shared it widely yet.
Start with what you know your clients are asking or worried about.
What do they commonly misunderstand? What do they overlook? What do you wish more people knew? What do you personally find interesting in your area of expertise? That’s your content roadmap.
The Bottom Line
This is not about becoming a social media star. It’s about being the steady, trusted voice people turn to when it matters.
Thought leaders don’t chase attention. They earn trust.
Helping you Thrive,
Judy
Founder, Selby Strategies
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