Are you an opinion leader?

It’s time for you to step up and go inside.

All over the world we are witnessing businesses, cities and countries come to a complete standstill. Turn back the clock to end December, we would never have imagined that the world is in the state it is in today. This due to an invisible predator called COVID-19.

All governments, all businesses, and all families are navigating uncharted waters. Every day top government leaders ask, how will we run the country today? Families ask what we must do to protect, educate, and feed ourselves and our families. Businesses ask how we’ll manage to stay afloat when we’re out of business.

It is a moment of crisis in which people look to their leaders for guidance and direction; lead by example; to inspire and give hope.

But what happens when there is no top-down message of reassurance and guidance, no words of encouragement or plan of action?

As a CEO, small business owner, parent, manager, educator, employee, you ARE a leader. The question is, are you going to wait for others to tell you what to do? Perhaps you are taking a wait and see attitude? I applaud people seeking other opinions; however, opinions are just another form of information.

It’s easy to adopt a herd mentality. I say forget to follow the crowd. For those of you in leadership positions or running a small business, it’s time to become a thought leader. it’s time that increase and passed!

A thought leader is someone who offers guidance and insights to those around them.

If you’re looking for someone to tell you how to run your business, you’re in big trouble. No one knows your business strategy, your customers, your people, your industry, your business better than you.

You have a front row seat to everything that happens in your organization and industry, so take advantage of that knowledge.

When it comes to thought leadership, people often wonder if they have something worth saying that would add value to those around them. Perhaps you have had thoughts and ideas, but were simply afraid to express them for fear of what others would think. My response to that is to get out of your own way and start sharing.

Here are a few things for your consideration to put you on the path to being a thought leader to those around you.

Read or watch the news about what’s going on without emotion.

Hear or read about what’s happening internationally, your state, and not just your local community. You can often gain information about what is likely to happen within your own country based on the actions of others. Ask yourself, what is the implication of this information for my business, for my family, for my community? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this information?

Think about your customers.

As a business owner, you need to focus on your customers. Ask yourself, how can I be of service to my customers? What do they need now? What’s happening in your industry and how you can pivot to suit your immediate needs.

It could be something as simple as providing a listening ear.

Show empathy.

Now is not the time for hardcore direct selling. Unless you are selling a product that consumers or your customers need, then cut back on direct selling. I’m amazed at how many travel companies still send luxury resorts and vacation destinations to my inbox.

I’m not saying you should discontinue your marketing efforts; the heavens don’t do that. Just rethink what you’re presenting to the world with empathy and through the lens of your customers.

Being a thought leader may be new to you, but I know you can do it. You have thoughts and ideas that can be of great value to others. You’ll never know until you give those thoughts a voice, either verbally or in writing.

Now take a deep breath. Take another. Now step up and assume your leadership role.