This is the first in a five-part series, in which Lee Frederiksen explains how to develop thought leadership insights.

Video Transcription

Hi, I’m Lee Frederiksen and I want to talk about how to develop thought leadership insights – really getting that thought behind it, that’s insightful.

Now there are 5 strategies I’m going to talk about and today I want to talk about the first one – narrowing your focus. Narrowing your focus is very important for a couple of key reasons.

Download the “Differentiation Guide” for free

First of all if you are a specialist in something narrow, if you’re commenting on something narrow, it’s easier to learn the field. It’s easier, especially if it’s something new and emerging. It’s an easier way because you can get your hands around rather than trying to be an expert and a thought leader in a very broad field like tax planning. Instead be in a narrow, like state tax in Nevada. Much easier to get your hands around much easier to be an expert.

The second thing it does, besides being able to learn more quickly. It makes it easier for people to categorize what you know, what you are an expert in.

Those two things together help you develop a focus that allows you to become a thought leader.

Author: Lee Frederiksen, Ph.D. Who wears the boots in our office? That would be Lee, our managing partner, who suits up in a pair of cowboy boots every day and drives strategy and research for our clients. With a Ph.D. in behavioral psychology, Lee is a former researcher and tenured professor at Virginia Tech, where he became a national authority on organizational behavior management and marketing. He left academia to start up and run three high-growth companies, including an $80 million runaway success story.