Introduction The True Believer is a historical and philosophical study of the formation of mass movements (like nationalist, political, and religious movements) and a look inside the mind of the people who participate in them. This particular book became famous when President Eisenhower cited it during one of the earliest television press conferences. It remains …
(DISCLAIMER: This isn’t really about Joe Biden. At all.) My wife and I were on a Caribbean cruise last week. It’s one of the few times a year I totally unplug from news and social media. But one thing did cut through the noise: news and analysis of President Biden’s recent speech in Georgia about …
When I started assembling my list of Authority Archetypes — the thought leaders who would represent the recurring authority strategy patterns I’ve spotted over the past several hundred years — Abraham Lincoln was at the top of my list. Lincoln is the only Authority Archetype political figure, and for good reason: he has very broad …
What Abraham Lincoln’s Mid-Life Crisis Taught Me About Thought Leadership Read More »
“The only way to advertise is by not focusing on the product.” — Calvin Klein Isn’t this the truth… and it’s one of those things you just don’t get it until you finally get it. If you haven’t gotten it yet, I’ll try to help: I can’t think of any thing off the top of …
“There is a saying that every nice piece of work needs the right person in the right place at the right time.” — Benoit Mandelbrot A lot of would-be Thought Leaders have concerns because they feel like their audience has stopped growing or that the growth of that audience has slowed down. This is often …
“Obsessed by a fairy tale, we spend our lives searching for a magic door and a lost kingdom of peace.” — Eugene O’Neill Your audience wants certain things from a Thought Leader, and you’d better not get confused about what they are. Chances are, you are confused, so I’m here to give you a helping …
“It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.” — John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie Let’s say you’re good at the job. Really good, in fact. And let’s say that other people who do what you do could probably benefit from your advice. Let’s even stipulate that they would pay for it. Thousands …
“The whole secret of life is to be interested in one thing profoundly and in a thousand things well.” — Horace Walpole If you’re an expert about something, you may have a chance of becoming a Thought Leader in that subject. If you do and say the right things, you will attract an audience that …
“The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.” — Voltiare I’m going to tell you a major secret in today’s Gem of Genius. Here’s how you become a Thought Leader: You’re going to …
“In America, the race goes to the loud, the solemn, the hustler. If you think you’re a great writer, you must say that you are.” — Gore Vidal You wouldn’t want to hear your spouse say something like, “of course I love you, I already told you that.” You want to hear their affirmations on …