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.

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.

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.

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!

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.