Want to Make a Name for Yourself as a Thought Leader? You'll Need These Two Things to Stand out in the Saturated Space.

Don't fall for the "Fake it till you make it" trap

It is easy to be agreeable and take on projects when asked, but much harder to fulfill them, and harder still to back out. Balancing our commitments and our actual capability takes self honesty. bruce mars/Unsplash

By Reenita Malhotra Hora

You might have heard the mantra “Fake it until you make it.” It expresses the idea that you should embody a confidence or persona that you might not actually possess. And I disagree with it.

I’ve gotten into trouble for being too honest in my career and in life, but I don’t regret not “faking it.” I believe authenticity is one of the best assets we can have. Thought leaders especially are in a position where they need to build connections with their audiences. Authenticity and consistency are vital to this.

Related: What Exactly Is Thought Leadership?

Honesty Means Getting Personal

Sometimes it’s better to keep quiet and not be so brutally honest. In some situations, especially in a professional environment, you might want to avoid getting into your personal life too. While there are moments when you should have clear boundaries, there are also moments when you should feel comfortable sharing things about yourself. Coming from a writing background, I see personal experiences as a way to connect with others, which is essential in thought leadership.