How often should you seek feedback on your thought leadership?

In my experience - establishing a robust communication strategy is pivotal before commencing collaborations. Clearly articulating your vision, goals, and expectations to potential collaborators is essential for alignment and understanding. This includes defining roles, responsibilities, and outlining the mutual benefits of the partnership. Foster open channels for dialogue, encourage feedback, and ensure all parties are on the same page regarding timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Effective communication fosters trust, synergy, and a conducive environment for successful collaboration and goal achievement.

When seeking feedback regarding your thought leadership or content, the temptation is to just launch a survey or otherwise just brute force it. But there's a problem with this approach. Strangers may be reluctant to be entirely honest with you. Because they don't want to alienate or discourage you. So it will often be best to seek feedback from those who are close to you, and are more comfortable giving you complete feedback.

Seek feedback from trusted colleagues by inviting them to observe you over time. Set expectations upfront - openness is key. Their insights can help refine your thought leadership journey.

When you're unwell - you go to a doctor. When you're in a plan - you trust the pilot. All feedback is not equal. Get feedback from an industry expert or peer who is further along that you in the thought leadership journey - the ones who are in the arena.

If feedback isn't finding your thought leadership already, you definitely want to seek some at least once every six months. Because if feedback isn't finding you more passively, something's wrong, because it means your thought leadership is ineffective.

This is exactly where having a coach shines. Unlike mentors, counselors, or consultants, coaches are people who guide through your own self-discovery in ways that allow an individual to reveal their own paths, solutions and meanings.