Gems of Genius

What Abraham Lincoln’s Mid-Life Crisis Taught Me About Thought Leadership

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 …

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It’s Not About Your Stuff

“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 …

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More Than Information.

“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 …

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Stop It.

“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 …

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Don’t Feed The Monster

“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 …

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The Proprietary Paradox

“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 …

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