Episodes
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How do you take an academic idea and turn it into a global movement?
On this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill Sherman dives deep with Karen and Aneil Mishra, exploring their journey of transforming the "Rock of Trust" framework into an impactful leadership tool. From the humble beginnings of self-publishing to securing high-profile consulting contracts, this episode showcases the art of bridging academic rigor with practical application.
Aneil shares the origins of his trust framework, which emerged from research in crisis-ridden industries, and how Karen's marketing expertise rebranded it from a "crock" to a "rock"—making it memorable and actionable. Their collaborative effort highlights the importance of translating academic language into compelling, relatable messages. The Mishras’ story is a testament to the power of resilience, boldness, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
The couple also reflects on overcoming challenges, including rejection from publishers who deemed them "not famous enough." Undeterred, they self-published, gained traction, and proved that meaningful ideas can transcend barriers. Karen’s advice to her younger self? Be bolder and unapologetically share relevant academic insights with the world. Aneil adds, tackle big, important problems, as they keep you motivated and aligned with purpose.
Their legacy, especially Aneil’s enduring contributions to trust research, serves as a blueprint for turning intellectual passion into a movement that inspires executives, students, and practitioners alike. This episode is both a masterclass in thought leadership and a heartfelt tribute to Aneil’s impact.
Three Key Takeaways:
• The Rock of Trust Framework: Aneil Mishra's research on trust identified four key pillars: reliability, openness, competence, and caring. Rebranded with Karen's marketing expertise, this framework became a memorable and impactful leadership tool applied across industries and organizations.
• From Rejection to Resilience: Despite being told they weren’t “famous enough” to publish their book, the Mishras self-published and gained traction. Their persistence turned rejection into opportunity, eventually leading to consulting contracts and increased credibility in the leadership space.
• Bridging the Academic-Practitioner Divide: Karen and Aneil emphasized translating academic insights into practical tools. Their ability to speak the language of both executives and students showcased the importance of making complex ideas relatable and actionable.
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What does it take to truly transform and lead authentically?
Paul Glover knows. Once a successful trial attorney, his life
unraveled due to choices that led to federal prison. But from the
depths of failure, Paul emerged not only as a survivor but as a
powerhouse coach for C-suite executives. His journey is raw,
unfiltered, and deeply inspiring, blending lessons of humility,
resilience, and hard-won wisdom.
Paul’s story is one of dramatic reinvention. Prison, he says, saved
his life and softened his perspective, forcing him to confront blind
spots and triggers that once drove destructive behavior. Today, his “No BS” coaching method empowers leaders to tackle their echo chambers and embrace failure as a growth tool. From offering money-back guarantees to positioning himself as a modern-day “fool” who tells leaders the hard truths, Paul’s approach is anything but conventional.
Leadership, Paul argues, demands the courage to fail and the humility to learn. His coaching and speaking emphasize resilience, not just to bounce back but to bounce forward. Drawing parallels to psychological safety and historical figures like the court jester, Paul challenges leaders to seek and trust those who hold them accountable, creating space for transformation. The key? Being brutally honest—with themselves and their teams.
Paul’s message is a wake-up call to leaders everywhere: true
leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about embracing
imperfection and turning failure into fuel for growth. With humor,
candor, and authenticity, Paul Glover inspires audiences to rethink
success and take bold, transformative steps forward.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Transformation Through Failure: Paul Glover’s journey from a
successful attorney to a convicted felon and then a sought-after coach highlights the power of embracing failure as a tool for personal and professional growth. He demonstrates how confronting blind spots and taking accountability can lead to profound transformation.
• Authentic Leadership Requires Honesty: True leaders need to break out of echo chambers and surround themselves with people who provide honest, unfiltered feedback. Paul’s approach as the “No BS” coach underscores the importance of humility, self-awareness, and the willingness to hear hard truths.
• Resilience Goes Beyond Recovery: Leadership isn’t just about
bouncing back; it’s about bouncing forward. Paul emphasizes resilience as the ability to learn from failures and turn them into opportunities for growth, fostering a leadership style that is both dynamic and transformative.
Instead of running from his past Paul has put it forward as part of
his authentic self. When you present your thought leadership are you being authentic or just trying to go viral? Check out this short video by Peter Winick to discover why being your real self is more important. -
Missing episodes?
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How can an academic bridge the gap between rigorous research and actionable insights for executives?
Stephanie Woerner, of MIT's Center for Information Systems Research (CISR), offers a masterclass on this topic in our latest podcast episode. She reveals how her team tackles the tension between academia’s slower pace and business’s urgent demands by designing projects with rapid deliverables and executive-relevant outcomes. It’s not just about publishing papers—it’s about driving impact and transforming practices.
Stephanie explains how CISR collaborates with its consortium of 75 corporate members to co-create research agendas that solve real-world problems. From exploring the impact of AI and data-driven decision-making to demystifying digital transformation, her frameworks make complex concepts accessible. Her advice? Listen to your audience, translate data into actionable insights, and focus on what drives performance—whether it’s profitability, innovation, or customer experience.
The conversation dives into the art of storytelling with data. Stephanie shares how visuals, like a simple two-by-two matrix, can illuminate business challenges and opportunities. By simplifying without oversimplifying, she equips leaders to move from confusion to clarity, making complex transformations manageable.
With thought leadership positioned as a practice, Stephanie reflects on her journey from researcher to influencer. She underscores the importance of connecting with your audience, constantly iterating, and striving for impact over time. This is thought leadership in action—anticipating the future, separating signal from noise, and delivering the insights your audience needs just when they need them.
Three Key Takeaways:
Bridging Academia and Business: Stephanie Woerner highlights the importance of designing research to deliver actionable insights for executives. By structuring projects with shorter cycles and a focus on business relevance, her team ensures their work addresses urgent corporate challenges while maintaining academic rigor.
The Power of Frameworks and Storytelling: Simplifying complex ideas into accessible frameworks, like two-by-two matrices, helps executives understand challenges and take decisive action. Effective storytelling with data transforms raw information into compelling, actionable insights.Audience-Centered Thought Leadership: Successful thought leadership requires deep listening and collaboration with your audience. Woerner emphasizes the value of co-creating research agendas and focusing on practical outcomes that align with what your audience urgently needs to know—or hasn’t yet thought to ask.
If you want to further explore the idea of using academic research to build your thought leadership, be sure to check out this video by Leveraging Thought Leadership founder and CEO Peter Winick.
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How do you turn ideas into impact and expertise into action?
On this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick speaks with Dre Baldwin, Founder and CEO of Work on Your Game. Dre is a four-time TEDx speaker and author of 35 books, including "The Third Day: The Decision that Separates The Pros from the Amateurs" and the creator of the Work on Your Game framework. Together, they unpack the critical role frameworks play in scaling ideas and ensuring consistency. Dre shares how frameworks act as guardrails, anchoring your principles and making your work repeatable and impactful across topics and audiences.
Dre emphasizes the power of mindset as the foundation for success. A shift in thinking sparks changes in actions, which in turn drive outcomes. Skipping this sequence leads to frustration, wasted resources, and unmet goals. Whether you’re an athlete or an entrepreneur, Dre insists the process starts in your head. From there, strategies and systems create a path for repeatable success. Systems aren’t just efficient—they’re liberating. Build it once, and you can focus on execution and innovation.
Dre’s own journey began with a realization: the clock on a professional basketball career runs out fast. Embracing his inner tech enthusiast, Dre leveraged the internet to bypass gatekeepers and build his brand. Blogging, YouTube, and podcasting became his tools to connect directly with an audience eager for his insights. His approach? Show up consistently and deliver value based on real-time audience needs. It’s a formula he’s honed into a repeatable system, and it’s working.
Writing 35 books might seem Herculean, but Dre demystifies it with a system that maximizes today’s tech. From dictation to transcription, he’s found ways to streamline the creative process while staying true to his ideas. The tools evolve, but the challenge remains the same: having something meaningful to say and a receptive audience. For Dre, systems make the execution scalable—but only if you start with a strong mindset and clear strategy.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Frameworks Anchor Success: A strong framework acts as a guide, keeping your work aligned with your principles and making it repeatable. It ensures consistency and clarity across topics and audiences, which is essential for scaling impact.
• Mindset Drives Results: Change starts in your mind. Adjusting your thinking leads to better actions, which then create meaningful outcomes. Skipping the mindset step results in frustration and wasted effort.
• Systems Simplify and Scale: Whether writing books or building a business, systems are the key to efficiency. Once a system is in place, you can focus on execution and innovation, letting the process do the heavy lifting.
Dre does a great job of illustrating why changing mindset is so important to creating long lasting impact. For additional information on Changing Mindset and Building Skills take a look at this article by Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick. -
What if publishing your book was as simple as answering a few questions?
This week, Peter Winick speaks with Dan Curran, a serial entrepreneur and innovator who is transforming the publishing industry with Chapters.io, a groundbreaking platform designed to make writing a book accessible and efficient for first-time authors. He’s also the author of the upcoming book Chaos is a Ladder, bringing a wealth of insight from his extensive experience in editorial content and marketing.
The guest shares his journey through healthcare, pharma, and life sciences, writing technical content requiring precision and integrity. For years, he sought a way to revolutionize publishing but couldn’t see the right opportunity—until the launch of ChatGPT in 2022. Recognizing AI’s potential to organize and structure content, he and his team reimagined how non-fiction books could be created, merging cutting-edge technology with traditional editorial expertise.
Chapters is tailored for first-time authors—professionals with wisdom or unique perspectives but unsure how to navigate the challenging publishing landscape. The platform begins with simple, AI-driven questions: What’s your topic? Who’s your audience? What tone fits your message? These answers quickly generate 5,000 to 20,000 words of raw material. Editors then refine the draft, turning conversations into polished manuscripts. The system integrates your existing content—blogs, podcasts, or presentations—while maintaining a closed environment to ensure the work remains entirely yours.
What sets Chapters apart is its human touch. Every project is paired with a best-selling editor who provides insight, asks follow-up questions, and ensures your story shines. This blend of AI efficiency and editorial expertise turns the daunting process of writing a book into an approachable, streamlined experience.
Three Key Takeaways: • Chapters.io makes publishing accessible: By combining AI-driven tools with human editorial expertise, it simplifies the process for first-time authors, turning conversations into compelling manuscripts. • AI as a powerful organizational tool: The platform leverages AI to structure content, ask tailored questions, and fill in gaps, making it easier to generate high-quality material efficiently. • Human touch remains vital: Every project is supported by a best-selling editor who ensures the final product is polished, personalized, and impactful. This blend of technology and expertise redefines the book-writing journey. Dan is disrupting the publishing industry and he isn't the only one. If you want to learn more about what Thought Leaders should know about the changing publishing landscape check out this video from Peter Winick. -
How do you turn decades of expertise into a scalable thought leadership business?
Ruth King, known as the Profit & Wealth Guru, shares her journey from one-on-one financial coaching to becoming a best-selling author and AI innovator. She began by helping small businesses demystify their financial statements, but quickly realized her reach was limited. Writing books became the answer. Her first book, "The Ugly Truth about Small Business: 50 (Never-Saw-It-Coming) Things That Can Go Wrong...and What You Can Do about It," featured lessons from 50 entrepreneurs, offering readers practical insights into navigating difficult challenges.. It struck a chord, leading to a series of books that continue to impact readers globally.
Publishing was just the start. Ruth took her ideas to a wider audience by leveraging TV, radio, newsletters, and now podcasts. Weekly newsletters since the '90s have built her credibility, while speaking engagements and media appearances have kept her message evergreen. Her approach is simple: stories over statistics. Sharing real-life examples from her clients makes complex financial principles relatable and memorable, ensuring her audience stays engaged.
As technology advanced, Ruth embraced AI to scale her impact. Recognizing its potential during a Mastermind session, she and her team developed a groundbreaking AI tool to simplify and analyze messy small business balance sheets. Rooted in her decades of expertise, this tool standardizes processes and delivers insights at scale—no Zoom required. It’s a game-changer for small businesses seeking clarity and growth.
Ruth’s next move is clear: scale the AI solution by partnering with professionals who serve small businesses. Accountants, CPAs, and referral partners are already helping bring her vision to life. For Ruth, it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about empowering entrepreneurs to grow profitably, build wealth, and create lasting success.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Stories Simplify Complexity: Ruth King’s success lies in using real-life client stories to make financial principles accessible and memorable, demonstrating the power of storytelling in thought leadership.
• Scaling Expertise Through AI: By embedding her decades of knowledge into an AI tool, Ruth has transformed her expertise into a scalable solution that helps small businesses make sense of their financials without needing her direct involvement.
• Long-Term PR is Essential: Thought leadership isn’t a one-and-done effort. Ruth’s ongoing use of newsletters, speaking engagements, and media appearances ensures her message remains relevant and her audience continues to grow.
Ruth understands that to have maximum impact you have to be able to go to scale. If you want to learn more about "Scaling You" check out this video by Leveraging Thought Leadership CEO Peter Winick. -
What if the key to saving the planet wasn’t more regulations or money, but a new kind of leadership?
Rajeev Peshawaria, CEO of Stewardship Asia Centre and author of
"Sustainable Sustainability: Why ESG is Not Enough" and "Too Many Bosses, Too Few Leaders: The Three Essential Principles You Need to Become an Extraordinary Leader", joins Bill Sherman on Leveraging Thought Leadership to discuss how his career pivoted from financial services to championing climate responsibility and social sustainability. He shares how a career in HR and leadership
development revealed the limits of conventional approaches and sparked his passion for Steward Leadership—a model built on purpose, values, and a long-term perspective.
Rajeev’s research into over 100 global companies found a surprising pattern. Organizations thriving while solving environmental and social challenges weren’t driven by financial incentives or regulations. Instead, they were guided by a values-based approach rooted in independence, long-term thinking, ownership of today’s challenges, and creative resilience. These principles formed the backbone of the Steward Leadership model, a framework that marries purpose with profitability and proves businesses can do well by doing good.
Spreading this message has been both strategic and successful.
Rajeev’s team collaborates with governments, business schools, and agencies worldwide to promote Steward Leadership. By showcasing companies with decades-long track records of balancing profit with purpose, they’ve captured attention and inspired action. Leaders are drawn to the idea that societal impact and business success are not in conflict but can amplify each other.
Rajeev’s vision for the future is bold yet focused. By influencing
just 20% of the leaders they reach, the Stewardship Asia Centre aims to create a ripple effect powerful enough to drive global change. With a clear-eyed embrace of the 80/20 rule, Rajeev is betting that a minority of committed leaders, armed with the right values, can shift the trajectory of businesses—and the world.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Leadership, Not Incentives, Drives Sustainability: Successful
companies solving environmental and social challenges aren’t motivated by regulations or financial incentives. Instead, they operate from a values-driven leadership model rooted in purpose, long-term thinking, and a commitment to societal impact.
• The Four Pillars of Steward Leadership: The Steward Leadership model is built on four principles: independence (the belief that helping society benefits business), long-term thinking (beyond quarterly gains), ownership of challenges (profit while solving problems), and creative resilience (innovating to address global issues).
• The 20% Ripple Effect: Rajeev’s strategy focuses on influencing just 20% of leaders touched by his work. Leveraging the 80/20 rule, he believes this minority of purpose-driven leaders can create a powerful ripple effect, transforming businesses and society for the better.
Rajeev not only understands what type of leaders we need, but he knows how to find them. As a thought leader can you clearly describe your ideal client? If you're not sure make sure to read this article by Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick for tips on getting a clear picture. -
What happens when you mix radical candor with thought leadership?
In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Kim Scott, author of "Radical Candor" and "Radical Respect" to explore how leaders can communicate effectively, especially when giving tough feedback. They discuss the importance of honesty, compassion, and clarity in leadership communication, showing how these principles can strengthen relationships and drive results.
Kim shares her insights on creating a culture of trust and transparency within organizations. She emphasizes that when leaders genuinely care about their team members, their feedback becomes a tool for growth, not criticism. Through real-world examples, Peter and Kim illustrate how radical candor isn’t just about being direct—it’s about balancing empathy with honesty to unlock true potential.
The conversation dives deep into the challenges leaders face when giving feedback, especially in high-pressure situations. Kim highlights the power of giving both praise and constructive criticism in a way that motivates and encourages continuous improvement. Peter and Kim also explore the nuances of how feedback can be tailored to different personalities, making it more effective and impactful.
If you're looking to elevate your leadership communication and build stronger teams, this episode offers actionable insights. Kim’s advice is clear: to lead effectively, you must care deeply, speak honestly, and encourage your people to grow without fear of failure. A must-listen for anyone looking to strengthen their leadership style.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Balancing Care with Candor: Leaders achieve greater impact when they provide honest feedback with empathy. This mix of care and candor builds trust and encourages open communication within teams.
• Authentic Relationships Drive Success: Authenticity isn’t optional. Leaders who connect genuinely with their teams—seeing them as people, not just employees—create an environment where trust and motivation thrive.
• Results and Relationships Are Partners: Effective leaders focus on both outcomes and relationships. By fostering a culture of accountability and respect, leaders help their teams excel and feel valued.
Entering the world of thought leadership without a strategy and finding success like Kim did isn't common. Check out this article by Leveraging Thought Leadership CEO Peter Winick for tips on getting your strategy, tactics, and goals aligned early! -
What drives someone to write a book that is both hard to create and has a deep impact?
For Dr. Paul R. Lawrence, former Under Secretary for Benefits and author of Veterans Benefits for You: Get What You Deserve, it was a blend of personal experience and a dedication to help veterans understand and claim their benefits. Lawrence’s career in public administration gave him first hand insight into veterans’ needs. From managing government responsibilities to engaging directly with veterans, he saw the gap between the benefits available and the information veterans had access to. This realization fueled his decision to write a book that’s accessible, concise, and targeted to help 90% of veterans navigate their benefits with ease.
Creating a straightforward guide for veterans wasn’t simple. Lawrence focused on breaking down complex government processes into easy-to-understand language, with actionable steps veterans could take immediately. By simplifying the typical benefit journey for most veterans, he created a tool that addressed the most common needs without overloading readers with unnecessary details. This clarity made his book not just popular but also essential for the very people he aimed to serve.
Lawrence’s time in office revealed another key insight: veterans want fast, actionable answers. During his tenure, he regularly met with veterans, both in person and through massive virtual town halls reaching up to 5.7 million individuals nationwide. By actively listening to veterans’ questions and frustrations, he fine-tuned his approach, ensuring his message resonated at both individual and large-scale levels. This commitment to direct communication shaped his book’s impact and expanded his reach far beyond traditional avenues.
The success of his book has inspired Lawrence to think bigger. He’s now exploring veteran employment, seeing a critical need for more research and resources in this area. With the increasing numbers of veterans out of the labor force, Lawrence wants to understand and address this trend. He’s considering a follow-up that could dive deeper into solutions for veteran employment challenges—a topic he believes might resonate even more widely.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Simplifying Complexity: Lawrence’s book translates complex government processes into accessible, action-oriented information that 90% of veterans can use. His goal was to cut through bureaucratic jargon, making benefits understandable and actionable for veterans.
• Listening to Needs: Through direct interactions, both in person and virtually, Lawrence learned that veterans prioritize quick, clear answers. His approach to outreach—whether at VFW halls or in large-scale virtual town halls—helped him fine-tune his messaging and address veterans' most pressing questions.
• Expanding Impact: Beyond benefits, Lawrence is shifting his focus toward veteran employment, recognizing a gap in support. By researching why many veterans are leaving the labor force, he aims to create resources and solutions for this underserved area. -
What’s the role of spirit in a world driven by bottom lines and business metrics?
Today, Peter Winick sits down with Rusty Rueff, an accomplished investor, startup advisor, Co-Founder and Director at Alioth Talent and previously served under President Obama on his advisory committee for the Arts at the Kennedy Center, to discuss the crucial intersection of purpose and the workplace. Rueff, who has dedicated his career to empowering organizations and people, shares his belief that modern workplaces must recognize the holistic needs of their people—including the often-overlooked need for spiritual fulfillment.
Historically, work and personal lives were siloed. But today, companies are embracing the importance of physical and mental well-being, with gyms, wellness programs, and mental health support. Rueff believes the next frontier is integrating “spirit” into the workplace—not in a religious sense, but as a core part of personal meaning and motivation. Companies should aim to foster environments where employees feel committed, not just compliant.
But how can companies approach this without stepping into sensitive territory? Rueff advocates for open forums and inclusive resource groups that give employees a safe space to bring their full selves to work. By creating these avenues, organizations enable connection and belonging, helping employees build resilience, passion, and purpose.
Rueff’s latest book, The Faith Code: A Future-Proof Framework for a Life of Meaning and Impact, asks readers to explore their foundational beliefs. He challenges listeners to reflect on the “platform of their lives” and what they cherish most deeply. As he explains, while our bodies and minds may wane over time, our spirits have the power to grow stronger—right until the end.
Three Key Takeaways:
• The Spirit in the Workplace: Beyond physical and mental health, organizations should support employees’ spiritual well-being, fostering commitment and purpose rather than mere compliance.
• Inclusive Spaces for Authenticity: To empower employees to bring their whole selves to work, companies should create open forums and resource groups that celebrate diverse backgrounds and interests, cultivating belonging and connection.
• Reflecting on Life’s Platform: Rueff’s concept of the “platform of life” challenges individuals to identify what truly matters and holds lasting value. While physical and mental capacities may fade, nurturing the spirit can build resilience and strength that endures.
Rusty is changing lives by getting people to ask the right questions about their life. When it comes to Thought Leadership are you asking the right questions? Take a moment to check out this article by Peter Winick on Starting with the Problem, Not the Solution. It can make a huge difference in your work!
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What makes some people bounce back from adversity while others remain stuck?
In this compelling episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick welcomes resilience expert Deborah Gilboa. An author and consultant, Deborah helps organizations navigate change with confidence and competence. Her book, From Stressed to Resilient: The Guide to Handle More and Feel It Less, serves as a roadmap for individuals and teams seeking to enhance their resilience.
Deborah's journey to thought leadership is as unconventional as her path to medicine. Initially pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a career in theater, she pivoted to medical school, where she spent years treating patients. Observing the stark differences in how individuals responded to illness prompted her to delve into the concept of "Patient Resilience." She aimed to redefine resilience beyond severe cases, exploring its application in everyday lives and discovering whether it can be cultivated.
Transitioning from a practicing doctor to a thought leader began when Deborah was asked to speak about parenting at community events. What started as a way to connect with underserved populations evolved into a mission to educate parents, educators, and coaches about fostering resilience. As the inquiries grew, so did her focus on adult resilience, leading her to investigate effective methods for teaching these essential skills to adults facing their struggles.
Deborah’s business model centers on writing and speaking engagements. Recognizing the need for a platform, she built her online presence and leveraged her speaking skills to gain credibility. Companies often approach her to address change resistance within their teams. Through tailored workshops and a "Change Resistant Exam," she equips leadership with the tools to facilitate smoother transitions, ultimately fostering a culture of adaptability. Deborah's insights are vital for any organization looking to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Resilience is Learnable: Deborah emphasizes that resilience is not merely an innate trait; it can be cultivated and developed over time. Understanding what contributes to resilience can empower individuals and organizations to enhance their ability to navigate challenges.
• Effective Communication is Crucial in Change Management: Organizations often struggle with change due to a lack of understanding of the natural resistance employees exhibit. Deborah teaches leaders how to communicate effectively about changes, ensuring that expectations are clear and that employees feel supported throughout the transition.
• Speaking Engagements as a Gateway: Deborah's journey into thought leadership illustrates the power of speaking engagements. They serve as an entry point for organizations to experience her insights firsthand, ultimately leading to longer-term consulting relationships focused on building a resilient workforce.
Doborah shares her journey of learning the need for a strong platform to leverage her skills and show credibility. If you are struggling to build your platform we can help! Contact the Thought Leadership Leverage team about a strategy session to take your first steps. -
How do you cut through the noise to get to what truly matters?
In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman dives into this question with Ann Latham, the mind behind The Power of Clarity and The Disconnect Principle. Ann's journey to clarity began when she asked former bosses and colleagues a surprising question: What do I do best? The answer was clear—she had an uncanny ability to sift through information, distill its essence, and align teams with actionable plans. So began her consulting journey and the creation of Uncommon Clarity.
Ann quickly realized that “clarity” could be a hard sell—it’s an abstract concept people often overlook. To bridge this gap, she started showing how clarity impacts concrete outcomes: higher productivity, greater confidence, fewer mistakes, and optimized potential. Through strategic planning, process improvement, and team alignment, she began weaving clarity into the DNA of organizations.
As her consulting grew, so did her focus on teaching others to achieve clarity themselves. She moved beyond providing solutions, empowering her clients to own the process. Now, as a writer and speaker, Ann is on a mission to make clarity a universal skill, publishing books and giving TED Talks to illuminate this essential but elusive concept. Her insights aren’t just techniques; they’re catalysts for meaningful change in any organization.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Clarity Drives Results: Ann emphasizes that clarity isn't just a buzzword—it's a strategic asset that boosts productivity, confidence, and team effectiveness.
• Clarity as a Teachable Skill: Beyond solving problems for clients, Ann has developed ways to teach organizations how to cultivate clarity themselves, making it a sustainable part of their culture.
• Practical Clarity Spectrum: To tackle the vagueness around clarity, Ann developed a spectrum that defines specific elements needed to reach clear, actionable outcomes, making it easier for teams to get aligned and achieve their goals.
Peter Winick, the CEO and Founder of Thought Leadership Leverage, like Ann, often helps his clients find clarity in their work. Check out this article by Peter on Clarity for Priorities. -
How do you turn a passion for nonprofits into a thriving business?
Dr. Sharon Elefant, Founder & CEO of The Nonprofit Plug, joins us to share her remarkable journey. Initially aiming to become a hospital administrator, Sharon found herself running outreach programs for the VA health system across Southern California and Nevada. This exposed her to the world of nonprofits and strategic partnerships, which quickly became her passion. As she deepened her involvement with nonprofits, Sharon realized she had a unique skill: she could connect these organizations with the exact resources they needed. Her growing reputation as “The Plug” for nonprofit solutions laid the groundwork for a full-time consulting business.
Turning her passion into profit was the next challenge. Sharon describes how she evolved from a free resource into a paid expert. At first, she was providing advice and making introductions for free. But as she took on more complex tasks like grant writing and strategic development, her value became undeniable. Nonprofits trusted her expertise and were willing to pay for her to take on the heavy lifting. What began as offering helpful tips turned into thought leadership, with Sharon producing content, guides, and resources that established her as the go-to person in her field. Her knowledge wasn’t just in demand—it became a business.
Today, The Nonprofit Plug offers a range of services to meet the diverse needs of nonprofit organizations. Sharon talks about how she structured her offerings into packages that include everything from grant writers to consultants and coaches, covering every aspect of nonprofit management. She introduced a new program that provides all-inclusive support for an entire year, helping nonprofits hit the ground running in the first 90 days. This package model offers a clear cost-saving advantage compared to hiring individual experts. It's all about providing comprehensive, long-term value at an accessible price.
Sharon also offers valuable advice for thought leaders and entrepreneurs trying to break into the space. Her recommendation? Start small but consistent. Posting daily tips on social media—short, digestible clips that share valuable insights—can go a long way. She suggests recording a few tips in one sitting and rolling them out over time, so it’s manageable and cost-effective. But building a brand takes patience. She advises giving it at least three to five years before deciding if your business has the momentum to sustain itself. And don't rush to leave your day job—wait until your venture is fully capable of supporting both you and your business.
Dr. Sharon Elefant’s story is a testament to the power of relationships, expertise, and thought leadership in building a successful business.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Turn Expertise into Revenue: Dr. Sharon Elefant transformed her deep knowledge of nonprofits and networking skills into a thriving business by offering grant writing, consulting, and administrative services that nonprofits were willing to pay for, rather than struggling to do it themselves.
• Package Value for Impact: The Nonprofit Plug offers bundled services—grant writers, consultants, and expert coaching—allowing nonprofits to get immediate results and long-term support at a cost-effective price, demonstrating the importance of scalable, value-driven offerings.
• Consistency Builds Thought Leadership: Sharon’s advice to emerging thought leaders is to start small and be consistent, using platforms like social media to post daily tips. Success doesn’t happen overnight, but with a long-term vision and patience, expertise can grow into a profitable venture.
Sharon has spent years working to become the Plug for the nonprofit industry. Here are 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry according to Thought Leadership Leverage Founder and CEO Peter Winick.
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How do you balance being a practitioner and an academic?
In this episode, Bill Sherman talks with Dr. Robert Gordon, interim department chair for analytics, economics, and finance at American Public University about his unique journey from the world of cruise ships and supply chain to academia, research, and thought leadership. Robert shares his experience moving from practitioner to academic, and now returning to bridge the gap between the two. His expertise in supply chain management, particularly in the maritime and cruise industries, provided the foundation for a shift into research and publishing that impacted both academia and industry.
Robert’s research on virtual teams and complexity theory was initially seen as niche, but when the pandemic hit, his work became highly relevant. The shift to remote work made his insights on virtual teams essential reading. He highlights the importance of staying connected to practitioners through conversations and continuous publishing to keep his research relevant.
Robert’s story is a reminder that thought leadership is not a static process. It’s about continually evolving, reflecting, and bridging the gap between theory and practice.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry: Robert Gordon emphasizes the importance of staying connected to practitioners while conducting academic research, ensuring his work remains relevant and actionable in real-world settings.
• The Power of Reflection in Thought Leadership: Robert highlights how reflecting on past work is crucial for growth, allowing him to evolve his ideas, improve his writing, and adapt to the changing needs of his audience.
• Virtual Teams and Complexity Theory Gaining Relevance: What was once considered niche research became vital during the pandemic, as organizations around the world shifted to remote work, validating the importance of anticipating future trends in research.
Robert knows the importance of academic research to practitioners. In this video Thought Leadership Leverage CEO Peter Winick explains how you can use academic research to build your thought leadership platform! -
What does it take to grab your audience’s attention in the first few seconds?
Bill Sherman explores the art of pitching with Joanne Tombrakos, storyteller, marketing strategist, NYU professor, podcaster and writer. and expert in crafting powerful messages. Joanne breaks down the misconception that pitching is just about selling. Whether you're selling a product or an idea, the goal is the same: persuasion. It’s about getting your audience to stop, listen, and invest time in your idea. Joanne shares the importance of setting the hook early and keeping people engaged by delivering value quickly and clearly.
Joanne emphasizes that pitching is not just for salespeople—it's a skill everyone needs. In business, you're constantly pitching yourself, your ideas, or your projects. She compares pitching to a form of storytelling, where your narrative must not only catch attention but also build trust. Joanne also touches on the fine line between pitching and selling, explaining that while every pitch has an underlying goal of persuading, the real focus is on creating a connection. Through storytelling and strategic messaging, you can build a relationship that makes people want to listen longer.
The conversation also delves into modern challenges, like competing with digital distractions. Joanne stresses that grabbing attention isn’t enough—you need to hold it. Like a Netflix series that hooks viewers in the first few minutes, your pitch needs to pull the audience in right away and deliver substance, not just flash. For leaders, entrepreneurs, and marketers, her advice is clear: simplify your message, make it relatable, and always lead with value.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Pitching is about persuasion, not just selling: Whether you’re pitching a product, idea, or project, the goal is to persuade your audience and capture their attention. It’s not just about making a sale—it’s about getting them to care.
• Hook your audience quickly: Joanne stresses the importance of grabbing attention within the first few seconds. Like a great story, your pitch needs to engage right away, offering value and building trust so your audience wants to stick around.
• Simplicity wins: Don’t overcomplicate your message. The most effective pitches are clear and concise. Distilling your idea into one sentence can help you stay focused and make a more powerful impact.
Joanne helps us understand how the Pitch needs to move beyond persuasion and into a relationship. If you want to understand how those relationships can help ideas reach scale be sure to check out this video by Thought Leadership Leverage COO Bill Sherman. -
What’s the ROI of a business book?
Peter Winick and Bill Sherman dive into this game-changing question in the latest episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership. Partnering with industry giants like Gotham Ghostwriters, Amplify Publishing Group, and Smith Publicity, they’ve launched the most comprehensive study on the ROI of business books to date. Over 350 authors participated, and the results are eye-opening.
The data shows 64% of business books turn a profit, with a median of $11,350 for books that have been out for at least six months. But here’s where it gets interesting—authors with a clear strategy saw a median profit of $96,000. The key takeaway? Profit is more about strategy than sales alone. Books with a robust launch plan, PR efforts, or even ghostwriting support outperform those without. For every dollar spent, the average book generates $1.24 in revenue—not just from book sales but from lucrative add-ons like speaking engagements, consulting, and workshops.
Another intriguing finding? Authors with weak strategies ended up spending more than those with a focused approach. And when it comes to satisfaction with publishers, hybrid models shine. 70% of authors using traditional or hybrid publishing were satisfied, but hybrid authors were twice as likely to be enthusiastic about their experience.
Catch the full episode and dive into the data at www.authorroi.com.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Strategic planning drives profits: Authors with a clear strategy around their book—like PR, launch plans, and ghostwriting—saw a median profit of $96,000, significantly higher than those without a plan.
• Revenue extends beyond book sales: For every $1 spent on a business book, authors generated $1.24 in revenue, with most of the profit coming from related services like speaking, consulting, and workshops, not just book sales.
• Hybrid publishing leads to higher satisfaction: Hybrid authors were twice as likely to express strong satisfaction with their publishing experience compared to traditional or self-published authors. -
What happens when your toughest challenges become your biggest opportunities?
On this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman dives deep with Neri Karra Sillaman—an Entrepreneurship Expert, TEDx Speaker, and Professor at ESCP Business School—about how her early life as a refugee set her on a path to becoming a thought leader and entrepreneur.
Neri shares the story of her childhood, growing up as part of a Turkish minority in Bulgaria during the 1980s, facing forced assimilation, and eventually being expelled from the country. With only two suitcases, her family fled to Turkey. From those humble beginnings in refugee camps, Neri realized education was her key to changing her life. This powerful experience laid the foundation for her future work in entrepreneurship and academia.
But how does a life of survival translate into thought leadership? Neri discusses how her research took her on a journey to understand why immigrants create businesses—and more importantly, why some of those businesses endure. Her "ah-ha" moment came when she found that many studies focused on the why of immigrant entrepreneurship but few explored how these businesses achieve longevity. This insight sparked her upcoming book, which distills the strategies of immigrant founders that any entrepreneur can apply.
Her message is clear: business longevity isn’t just for immigrant entrepreneurs. It’s for anyone who wants to build something that lasts. Neri is working to bridge the gap between startup challenges and the principles that help businesses thrive over the long term.
When asked how she moved beyond academia to practice thought leadership, Neri explains how she transitioned from writing academic papers to producing content for HBR, Fast Company, and other platforms that directly impact business leaders. She challenges thought leaders to think about how they can make their work accessible and actionable.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Adversity can shape success – Neri’s experience as a refugee shaped her drive and resilience, which became the foundation for her entrepreneurial journey and thought leadership.
• Immigrant entrepreneurship holds key lessons for all – The principles that help immigrant businesses endure are applicable to any entrepreneur looking to achieve long-term success.
• Practical thought leadership matters – Moving beyond academic research, Neri emphasizes the importance of creating accessible, actionable content that resonates with business owners and drives real impact.
Neri has spent her life seeking success in academia and entrepreneurship. If you want to find that same success in Thought Leadership take a moment to watch this short video from Thought Leadership Leverage COO Bill Sherman on successfully launching a thought leadership team. -
What if the way we approach change is broken? Would you try something new? Or stick to what you know?
In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Heather Hiscox, founder and CEO of Pause for Change and author of No More Status Quo: A Proven Framework to Change the Way We Change the World. Heather shares her journey of transforming frustration into a groundbreaking approach that’s helping changemakers address tough challenges in the nonprofit, government, and philanthropic sectors.
Heather’s insights began with a simple yet powerful question: "Why aren’t we working differently?" Years of seeing wasted efforts and weak results in the social sector pushed her to experiment. The result? The Pause framework—a tool for disrupting the status quo and creating meaningful impact. Her approach focuses on relationships, active listening, and rapid iteration, all built on a foundation of empathy and learning.
Heather discusses how entrepreneurs often miss key listening skills, and how fear of "not being ready" keeps leaders from publishing ideas and moving forward. Instead, she encourages taking risks, learning in real-time, and embracing new methods to achieve different outcomes.
Her clients—nonprofits, local governments, and philanthropic organizations—typically approach her for one of two reasons: something’s broken, or they’re unsure what’s possible next. Heather uses her framework to guide them through the uncertainties, asking the right questions and driving real change.
When it comes to marketing, Heather’s strategy is driven by relationships and word of mouth. She’s not just waiting for clients to find her—she’s actively engaging them through LinkedIn, her online show The Possibility Project, and by knowing when to walk away from those who aren’t ready to embrace her message.
Heather’s work is a call to action for leaders ready to stop settling for the status quo and start making the impact they’ve always envisioned.
Three Key Takeaways:• Embrace new methods to create change: Heather emphasizes that traditional approaches in the social sector often fall short. To make real impact, leaders must ask different questions and take risks with new methods, like her Pause framework.
• Relationships and listening are essential: Success hinges on building strong relationships and honing active listening skills. Whether in business or social change, empathetic listening and rapid iteration are key to solving complex problems.
• Don’t fear imperfection: Many leaders hesitate to publish content or make moves because it "isn't ready." Heather advocates for moving forward despite uncertainty, learning in real-time, and refining as you go.
Heather has years of helping clients change how they think and work. If you are a thought leader, speaker, or author is your work creating sustainable change? Explore the topic more in this article by Peter Winick.
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How do you turn technical expertise into a story that captures
everyone’s attention?
Today, host Bill Sherman sits down with Chantal Roberts, an insurance expert and professor at The Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York., to discuss her unique journey as an author of two distinct books. One caters to insurance professionals, and the other takes a creative approach to educate the general public.
Chantal’s first book, The Art of Adjusting, targets mid-career
insurance adjusters, offering them insights into the unwritten rules of claims handling. With remote work reducing informal
knowledge-sharing, she aimed to bridge that gap. This book also
strengthened her credentials as an expert witness in insurance
litigation.
Her second book, Once Upon a Claim: Fairytales to Protect Your Assets, was a complete pivot. Inspired by her experience teaching, Chantal decided to use fairy tales like Rapunzel and Goldilocks to explain complex insurance concepts to consumers. The goal? To help people understand the claims process better and avoid feeling blindsided.
Chantal shares how her passion led her to write in ways that even
surprised her. She also discusses her grassroots marketing efforts,
sending postcards to agents as a way to spread the word about her second book—ensuring it doesn’t get lost in the spam folder.
If you’re wondering how to write for different audiences without
losing your authentic voice, Chantal’s journey is full of insights.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Tailor your message to the audience: Chantal’s books serve two very different audiences—insurance professionals and general consumers—requiring her to adjust both her tone and content to suit their needs.
• Passion drives engagement: If you don’t love what you’re writing, neither will your readers. Chantal’s pivot from a technical rewrite to storytelling with fairy tales made her second book more engaging and enjoyable for everyone.
• Creative marketing matters: Chantal’s approach to promoting Once Upon a Claim through physical postcards demonstrates the power of thinking outside the box to avoid digital clutter and create a personal touch.
Chantal uses a different approach to finding her audience, but are you still using mass market techniques with your niche audience? If so, this article by Thought Leadership Leverage found and CEO Peter Winick might be helpful. -
What happens when your publisher holds your book hostage? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Bill Sherman speaks with Michael Jenet, author of "Ask: The Questions to Empower Your Life" and founder of Journey Institute Press, about his grueling battle to reclaim the rights to his books after a new publisher took control. Michael’s story isn’t just one of frustration—it’s about standing on principle and creating a new path for authors.
After years of legal battles, Michael and his wife and fellow author Dafna managed to regain their rights, but the ordeal sparked a deeper question: How could they prevent this from happening to others? That’s when they decided to start their own publishing company, Journey Institute Press, with a mission to put authors first and offer a more ethical, nonprofit-driven publishing model. They learned valuable lessons about the evolving book market, and now, they’re helping first-time authors navigate the complex world of publishing with integrity and sustainability.
Michael also shares key insights about long-term book marketing. Forget the one-time launch event at your local bookstore—today, it’s about leveraging multiple formats, influencers, and long-term strategies to keep your book relevant. Whether you're launching a hardcover, paperback, ebook, or audiobook, the goal is the same: get your book into as many hands as possible and keep the conversation going for years.
For aspiring authors, Michael offers this critical advice: start building your audience before the book is even written. Marketing falls on the author, so engage your readers early, find where they are, and get them excited long before launch day.
Three Key Takeaways:
• Own Your Rights: Michael Jenet’s battle to reclaim his book rights highlights the importance of authors fully understanding and protecting their intellectual property in the publishing world. Don’t assume your publisher will always have your best interests at heart.
• Long-Term Book Strategy: Successful book launches go beyond a one-day event. Michael emphasizes the importance of thinking long-term, using multiple formats and engaging influencers to ensure your book stays relevant for years, not just during the initial release.
• Build Your Audience Early: Authors can’t rely solely on publishers for marketing. Start building a community around your book early on, even while you're still writing. This will drive excitement and help ensure a successful launch.
These insights highlight the need for authors to take charge of both their rights and their marketing strategies to succeed in today's publishing landscape. If you have a book on the horizon and are seeking a solid thought leadership approach to marketing, reach out to Leveraging Thought Leadership to discuss how we can help. - Show more
