Thought Leadership in Action: Making Big Ideas Accessible | Lisa DeFrank-Cole | 621
Release Date: 01/26/2025
Leading with Data, Scaling with Purpose | Aaron Marcum | 643
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What if your greatest business challenge could become your launchpad into thought leadership? Today, Bill Sherman sits down with , visionary behind and bestselling author of , to explore how a journey from entrepreneur to industry thought leader unfolds—often unintentionally. Aaron shares how his frustration with data gaps in the home care space led to the founding of a data analytics company and, unexpectedly, a national reputation as a thought leader. Along the way, he leveraged the insights of thinkers like Brian Tracy and Michael Gerber, and later deepened his impact through a...
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From Local Landmark to Global Platform: The Digital Evolution of the 92nd Street Y | SethPinsky | 642
Leveraging Thought Leadership
Can a 150-year-old New York City institution thrive in the digital age? , CEO of the iconic , joins us to reveal how they turned crisis into innovation. Founded to support immigrant communities, the Y evolved into a world-renowned cultural hub. Seth shares how, despite the initial shock of COVID-19 closures, the organization quickly pivoted, transforming itself into a global digital platform overnight. Discover how they scaled online to reach millions—expanding their audience far beyond Manhattan. Seth explains key lessons learned, including tapping into an international market hungry for...
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Accidental Thought Leadership: When a Minor Point Becomes a Major Movement | Ellen Joan Ford | 641
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What happens when leadership, military service, and motherhood collide with a mission for change? didn’t set out to become a thought leader—she became one by accident, driven by action. A former army officer, academic, and founder of Belonging, Autonomy and Purpose Leadership, Ellen first spoke about the challenges of working parents as a small part of a leadership talk. But that minor moment struck a nerve—and sparked a tidal wave. Strangers reached out. Stories poured in. And suddenly, Ellen was leading a movement. That movement became , a principles-based approach to workplace...
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Crafting Books that Grow Your Brand and Business | Cathy Fyock | 640
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What’s the real reason you want to write a book? If your answer doesn’t connect directly to your business goals, you may be missing the mark. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter sits down with , a book strategist who helps authors write the right book—the one that aligns with their business, audience, and long-term strategy. Cathy shares why writing a book should never be step one. Instead, authors must start with a solid strategy: What do you want the book to do for your business? Who exactly are you writing it for? How will you leverage it to create opportunity,...
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Turning Industry Disruption into Thought Leadership Success | Kerim Kfuri | 639
Leveraging Thought Leadership
When the world stopped getting its stuff, why did supply chain suddenly matter? In this episode, Peter Winick speaks with , global entrepreneur, author of "," and CEO of . Kerim reveals why he stepped into thought leadership—especially when his industry became the center of public attention overnight. Kerim discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps and misunderstandings about supply chain processes. He shares insights into why investing in thought leadership provided not just visibility but also credibility, distinguishing his company from competitors who focused solely on...
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Breaking Through the Noise: Targeted Thought Leadership That Drives Results | Paige Velasquez Budde | 638
Leveraging Thought Leadership
Are you spending your resources wisely to amplify your thought leadership—or just making noise? In today's fast-paced marketplace, standing out from the crowd is tougher than ever. Peter Winick is joined by , CEO at , one of Austin's fastest-growing agencies specializing in building people-driven brands. Paige shares insights from her extensive experience working with top global thought leaders and brands. Discover why your personal brand matters even more than your corporate identity. Paige explains how trust and connection are built person-to-person, especially in high-touch B2B...
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How Reluctant Thought Leaders Can Amplify Their Impact | Christina Wedgwood | 637
Leveraging Thought Leadership
Does thought leadership belong only to bold personalities and charismatic speakers? doesn't think so. In her book, ", Christina explores how deep thinkers, perfectionists, and even those uneasy about taking center stage can still powerfully shape ideas and conversations. In this conversation, Christina explains that thought leadership isn't about how loudly you speak—it's about clarity, simplicity, and authenticity. She argues that true impact comes from quiet, deliberate thinkers whose insights might otherwise go unnoticed. Christina reveals why "better" does not mean "louder,"...
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Sales Isn’t Sleazy - If You’re Doing It Right | Lisa McLeod | 636
Leveraging Thought Leadership
What if the secret to extraordinary sales success wasn't pressure—but purpose? believes the best salespeople aren't chasing quotas. They're chasing impact. Lisa is a bestselling author of "", keynote speaker, and creator of the Noble Purpose business philosophy. Her work has reached over 2 million people on LinkedIn Learning and been featured in . In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we dive deep into the heart of what drives real, sustainable sales success—and how organizations can embrace the purpose to outperform the market by 350%. We talk about the surprising results...
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Transforming Discomfort into Influence | Sean Barnes | 635
Leveraging Thought Leadership
Can an introvert become an influential thought leader? Today, Bill Sherman speaks with , , and host of . Sean didn't start out comfortable on stage. In fact, his first speaking experience—presenting technical details to executives—was uncomfortable enough to make many quit. Instead, it sparked his determination to transform discomfort into impactful communication. Sean shares his journey from tech executive to thought leadership advocate, highlighting how he incrementally built confidence through intentional practice and feedback. He emphasizes the power of storytelling to make complex...
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Unlocking Careers Without College | Lawrese Brown | 634
Leveraging Thought Leadership
Is college really the only path to career success? In this compelling episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman speaks with , author of "". Lawrese passionately challenges outdated ideas about success, advocating alternative pathways like apprenticeships, boot camps, and vocational training. Originally, Lawrese targeted her message to parents, aiming to reshape perceptions about college as the only route to financial stability. However, she discovered parents often held strong, traditional beliefs about higher education. Shifting her focus directly to students opened...
info_outlineWhere do big ideas come from, and how do we make them accessible to the next generation? Thought leadership isn't just about creating new ideas—it’s about synthesizing insights and making them available to those who need them most. In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, we explore the fascinating journey of Dr. Lisa DeFrank-Cole, professor and director of Leadership Studies at West Virginia University. From growing up in a coal mining town to becoming an author and academic leader, Lisa’s story is one of perseverance, curiosity, and impact.
Lisa shares how she identified a critical gap in leadership education—women in leadership—and turned it into an award-winning textbook Women and Leadership: Journey Towards Equity that’s now shaping classrooms across the country. She dives into the importance of synthesizing research to make complex ideas more digestible and highlights the role of educators in bridging the gap between academia and real-world application.
We also explore the challenges of taking thought leadership beyond the classroom. Lisa discusses the need for visibility, the power of speaking up, and the reality that simply writing a book isn’t enough. Thought leadership requires patience, persistence, and proactive engagement to truly make an impact.
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your ideas into something tangible and enterprise-ready, this conversation will give you valuable insights. Ready to learn how to connect ideas with the audiences who need them most?
Three Key Takeaways:
• Thought leadership requires synthesis, not just creation. Making complex ideas accessible to a broader audience is crucial for driving real impact and fostering new generations of leaders.
• Bridging the gap between academia and practice takes effort. Sharing insights beyond the classroom requires proactive engagement, visibility, and a willingness to step outside traditional academic circles.
• Opportunities arise when you speak up. Whether it’s writing a book or seeking new platforms, voicing ideas to the right people can open unexpected doors and create meaningful change.
Lisa found opportunities by speaking up. Take a look at this infographic for ideas on Discovering Thought Leadership Opportunities in the Digital Age.