Ready to Be a Thought Leader: How to Increase Your Influence, Impact, and Success

By Denise Brosseau, MBA ’93
Jossey-Bass
San Francisco
 January2014
book cover for Ready to Be a Thought Leader?

The how-to guide to becoming a go-to expert.

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.

Selected Editorial Reviews
Brosseau, leadership entrepreneur, presents her blueprint for galvanizing others to rally around our ideas. She defines thought leaders as “change agents whose intentions and efforts are aligned to improve the world and who then choose to have a more significant impact by sharing their expertise, knowledge, and lessons learned with others . . . for sustainable evolutionary and revolutionary change.” The author presents her seven-step process for transitioning from leader to thought leader, which includes finding your driving passion; testing your ideas and opinions with knowledgeable contacts for feedback; attracting supporters and those who can champion your plan; finding the courage to lead and to risk your reputation to espouse a new direction or vision; codifying, testing, and refining your plan for others to follow; learning how to be “discoverable” and to connect with those who can build on your ideas; and learning how to gain traction for your ideas locally, nationally, and internationally. While her book is clearly an infomercial for her business, the author does offer valuable insight and strategies that will contribute to the growing leadership industry.
Mary Whaley, Booklist
Achieving the status of thought leader — while it will not happen overnight — is absolutely worth the effort. You’ll gain a seat at the table and the credibility you need to build a more successful company or catapult your career to the next level. If you want to know how to become this kind of go-to guy or gal in your industry, community, or profession, I suggest that you read this book.
Guy Kawasaki, From the Foreword
Denise Brosseau is a champion of entrepreneurs and corporate executives alike, and she lays out a step-by-step process for all who want to achieve status as a thought leader. I highly recommend her book for every motivated individual.
Kay Koplovitz, founder, USA Networks; chairman, Springboard Enterprises; and author, Bold Women, Big Ideas
Denise Brosseau has done a great service by making thought leadership accessible to all of us. Her case studies and practical resources make this book approachable and a must-read. I'm going to recommend this book to my start-up CEO friends, as it will help them to get their ideas heard in an increasingly noisy market.
Aneel Bhusri, cofounder and co-CEO, Workday
Are you tired of the status quo? Ready to Be a Thought Leader? will give you practical guidance and inspire you with real-life examples. I've known Denise for 11 years, and she's passionate about helping people make a difference. Put her expertise to work for you.
Susan Doherty, CMO, Hipmunk
Thought leadership can be a significant competitive advantage for independent consultants. People want to hire the best, and thought leadership validates your reputation, credibility, and expert knowledge. If you want to know what it takes to become a respected thought leader in your arena, buy Ready to Be a Thought Leader? today.
Gene Zaino, CEO and president, MBO Partners
Denise Brosseau will give you the GPS to find and achieve the designation of thought leader. Whether you're an entrepreneur, executive, or nonprofit leader, you won't want to go to work without it.
Peggy Klaus, executive coach, and author, BRAG! and The Hard Truth About Soft Skills
If you want to build community, advance ideas, and effect lasting change, read Denise Brosseau's Ready to Be a Thought Leader?. You'll find all the inspiration and know-how you need to enhance your impact and improve lives, starting today.
Jane Wales, president and CEO, The World Affairs Council, and vice president, Aspen Institute