How to Design Your Own Thought Leadership Program: Tips from AWEC's Alumnae
Read Time: 2 mins
- How to elevate your influence through thought leadership
- Learn from success stories by AWEC alumnae
- Actionable tips you can implement today to become a thought leader
Imagine a world where your ideas have the power to shape industries, where your expertise attracts opportunities, and where your voice resonates as a beacon of innovation. This is the essence of thought leadership—a strategic approach that goes beyond traditional business success.
“Thought leadership is the expression of ideas that demonstrate you have expertise in a particular field, area, or topic.”- Western Governors University
For women in business, mastering thought leadership isn't just about visibility; it's about wielding influence, challenging norms, and leading with impact.
In March, AWEC launched the AAN Thought Leadership Initiative (TLI), a groundbreaking three-month program designed to support alumnae in enhancing their online presence and growing their businesses. The outcomes of this initiative leveraged the power of thought leadership, enabling AWEC alums to gain relevance in their industries as they position themselves as thought leaders. Alumnae from nine countries and five cohorts, representing twelve industries, engaged in this transformative experience, showcasing the depth of support provided by the AWEC program.
To better understand the impact of the initiative, we interviewed three alumnae: Hussaina P. Nuhu-Ajala, CEO at Sariva Healthcare (Cohort 4), Priscah Mufunde, co-Founder of The Maker Club (Cohort 4), and Eme Tony-Uzoebo, co-CEO of Envirogro Farms (Cohort 3). Their stories highlight the program's significant impact on their personal and professional development, offering valuable insights into their journeys and the benefits of becoming thought leaders.
In today's competitive landscape, the ability to articulate your vision, share insights, and cultivate a loyal following isn't just advantageous—it's essential. Thought leadership empowers women entrepreneurs to break through barriers, establish themselves as industry authorities, and drive meaningful change. It's about leveraging your unique perspective to inspire others, forge new paths, and shape the future of business.
Why Thought Leadership Matters
Priscah Mufunde
Dr Priscah Mufunde is the co-founder of The Maker Club (Cohort 4)
“For the last three years, maybe longer, I've wanted to develop a thought leadership presence on LinkedIn. I kept updating my profile to make it look more professional, but I had no idea what to write or who to target. When I saw the email about the course, I didn't hesitate. I've looked at other thought leadership training but couldn't afford them, and I didn't know if they'd deliver. With this course, I was confident that AWEC would help me achieve my goal”
Eme Tony-Uzoebo
Eme Tony-Uzoebo is the co-CEO of Envirogro Farms (Cohort 3)
“I joined the thought leadership initiative because I felt a deep desire to expand my impact and influence within my sector. I had been contemplating ways to increase my visibility and voice but didn't know where to start. When I saw the opportunity, I saw it as a decisive step forward, a commitment that would push me out of my comfort zone and into a space where I could express myself and share my expertise more effectively”
Hussaina P. Nuhu-Ajala
Hussaina P. Nuhu-Ajala is the CEO of Sariva Healthcare (Cohort 4)
“My motivation to join the thought leadership initiative stems from a long-standing desire to become a thought leader and differentiate myself in my industry. Initially, I struggled to maintain visibility and consistency, often appearing and disappearing online. However, the initiative aligned perfectly with my goals and provided the structure I needed”
Professional and Business Growth
Establishing a strong brand presence and expertise in your niche can lead to accelerated personal growth and lucrative business opportunities. Our alumnae reported invitations to guest speak on podcasts and livestreams which reached audiences they hadn’t accessed before. Others noted offers for speaking engagements at industry conferences, which doubled their connections and social media followers and sparked the birth of engaging conversations.
Thought leadership increases your visibility and can attract clients and award recognition to your business. Hussaina remarks how she received an award for her contributions to society, an honor she notes would not have happened had she not put herself out there.
“My LinkedIn posts are getting noticed now, with over 2000 views and more connections. I'm even getting invites to events and conferences, which is encouraging. I've ticked off a lot of my objectives, though things like speaking at conferences and joining boards take time. It feels good to see I'm on the right path.” - Eme
Professional and Business Growth
“Since participating, I've experienced personal and business growth, attracting more clients and increasing visibility. Notably, my efforts led to recognition from students in northern Nigeria, resulting in an award for my contributions to society, something that could not have happened if I never put myself out there. The support system, including the AWEC ladies, content strategy, and open office sessions, was instrumental in my success.” -Hussaina
Design Your Own Thought Leadership Program
Although TLI was created exclusively for AWEC alumnae, you can design an analogous program at home.
Buddy System
For many, the fear of being vulnerable is a block to posting. Get a small group together of fellow entrepreneurs or rally your co-workers and employees to build support and accountability. Boost each other’s content by commenting, reposting, and liking the post to boost favorability with the social media platform’s algorithm. The accountability system is instrumental to your success and consistency, especially in the beginning when confidence may be low and your posts aren’t getting much external traction
Content Batching
Dedicate an hour at the start of each month to brainstorm ideas and set up a slew of prompts so that later in the month when it comes to drafting the post, you won’t be starting from scratch. What trends and changes are emerging in your industry that you could shed unique insight and experience on? Research opportunities your customers will care about and encourage active discussion in the comments section. If you’re still stuck, generative AI tools like ChatGPT are a good place to start. However, it’s important to personalize your prompts instead of simply copying and pasting from an AI tool. Bonus: content batching is a great time-saving hack!
Time Management Tips
Time management is crucial to maintaining a consistent posting schedule and building rapport and reliability with your audience.
- Create a folder on your phone to jot down and screenshot ideas when inspiration strikes
- Download a free content calendar online to curate and schedule posts ahead of time
- Start with one platform and grow there before expanding to multiple platforms. LinkedIn is a great place for beginners!
“Time management and adapting the prompts to my unique goals was tricky, but it forced me to grow and think outside the box. A conversation with Dawn, [Managing Director, AWEC], at the last meeting encouraged me to restart by reposting others' content with my thoughts until I found my voice again." -Priscah
Beginner Hacks for Aspiring Thought Leaders
- Post thoughtful comments on other people’s content to build confidence
- Sharing meaningful posts will authentically connect you to your audience
- Don’t wait for a special moment to document your journey and insights; every experience, whether success or challenge, contributes to your brand's narrative and potential opportunities.
Benefits of Becoming a Thought Leader
Thought leadership establishes credibility and trust with your audience, which builds your personal brand and promotes your business.
"As a thought leader in my industry, my future plans include launching a healthcare newsletter to expand my authority, organizing thought leader sessions, and starting a healthcare YouTube channel. I am also seeking guest posting and podcast opportunities to broaden my reach and influence." -Hussaina
The AAN Thought Leadership Initiative concluded with remarkable success. Our alumnae created opportunities for their businesses in unexplored territories. They reported increased confidence in content creation, significant business growth, expanded networks, and gained a competitive edge in their industries.
"The effort put into this initiative was a much-needed growth experience for me and my business. Even my competition acknowledged my progress."
Your Turn
Now is the time to amplify your voice and elevate your impact. How can you embrace thought leadership as a catalyst for change and growth in your business? Start by defining your unique perspective, sharing your insights boldly, and authentically engaging with your audience. Always remember that your opinion is valid. Draft that post today and share it—this could be the moment that reshapes everything around you.
Becoming a thought leader can lead to new business ventures with other stakeholders in your industry.
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