Leveraging Thought Leadership

Are you the bottleneck in your own business? Many entrepreneurs wear every hat—CEO, sales, R&D, even accounts receivable—yet still feel stuck. Cary Prejean, founder of Strategic Business Advisors and author of three books, has spent 40 years helping business owners shift from operator to visionary leader. In this episode, we explore why entrepreneurs don't need to become great managers—and why trying to do so can hold them back. Instead, Cary shows how to build processes that keep the business running without you, freeing you to focus on vision, growth, and impact. We break down the opposite skill sets of entrepreneurs and managers—why one thrives on vision, speed, and risk, while the other thrives on stability, patience, and process. Cary explains how to use the language of leadership to engage your team, enroll them in your mission, and empower them to take ownership. It's about letting go without losing control, and creating repeatable, scalable systems that make you irrelevant to daily operations—in the best possible way. Cary shares practical ways to get the attention of distracted, fast-moving entrepreneurs, starting with the right questions. He reveals how to uncover hidden bottlenecks, fix chronic operational headaches, and stop training your team to rely on you for every decision. We also discuss the parallels between leading people and prompting AI—clear direction, desired outcomes, and the freedom to innovate. From his roots in accounting to his evolution as a leadership advisor, Cary's journey offers a blueprint for sustainable growth. We talk about his upcoming books—one on common business-killing mistakes, and another on the lost art of relating—and how improving communication can transform not only your business but your relationships. If your business can't run without you for more than a day, this conversation could be your turning point. Three Key Takeaways: • Entrepreneurs shouldn't try to become great managers — The skill sets are fundamentally different. Instead of forcing yourself into a management mold, focus on evolving into a visionary leader who sets direction, inspires others, and empowers the team to execute. • Build processes that run the business without you — Repeatable, scalable systems free you from daily firefighting. When your team owns the process and delivers consistent results, you can step away from the weeds and focus on growth and innovation. • Empower and engage your team through clear vision and communication — Enroll employees in your mission, give them ownership of solutions, and resist micromanaging. Leadership is about prompting for outcomes, not dictating every step—just like using AI effectively. If Cary's episode got you thinking about how to stop being the bottleneck in your own business, Jonathan Raveh's conversation is your perfect next step. Both episodes tackle the same core challenge—how to move from doing it all yourself to building systems and empowering others. Cary shows you how to evolve from operator to visionary leader, while Jonathan dives deep into scaling thought leadership so your ideas can live and grow beyond you. Listen to Jonathan's episode to see how you can turn your vision into a shared organizational capability, equip your team to contribute their voices, and create thought leadership that scales—without burning you out. Pair these two episodes and you'll have a roadmap for scaling both your business and your ideas.

What if your next career move wasn't about climbing the ladder—but making real progress toward a life of purpose? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Michael Horn—author, speaker, and co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation —to explore how thought leadership can transform education, careers, and the way we make big life decisions. Michael has spent decades applying the "Jobs to Be Done" framework—originally developed by Clayton Christensen—to help individuals and organizations rethink their goals. He's worked alongside entrepreneurs, university presidents, and innovators who are reshaping the future of learning and work. His latest book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career", takes this powerful research and makes it personal—helping people make smarter, more fulfilling choices. We dig into how ideas evolve beyond their original intent. Christensen's theory of disruptive innovation started with disk drives, yet found its way into steel mills, education, and now career design. Michael shares how "Jobs to Be Done" is following a similar path, expanding from product design into deeply human territory—helping people identify the real motivations driving their decisions. We also tackle the big shifts in higher education. From universities facing demographic cliffs to the innovators thriving in the post-COVID landscape, Michael offers an unflinching look at what it takes for institutions to adapt—or be left behind. His insights bridge the gap between theory and practice, showing how thought leadership can both diagnose challenges and drive measurable change. This conversation is a masterclass in taking a proven idea, reimagining its applications, and building influence by serving a market that's ready for transformation. Whether you're leading an organization, shaping public policy, or charting your own next move, Michael's approach offers a blueprint for progress. Three Key Takeaways: • Decades of consulting experience can be distilled into a compelling book that captures proven strategies, lessons learned, and actionable insights for a targeted audience. • Translating expertise into thought leadership requires transforming complex, insider knowledge into clear, engaging narratives that resonate beyond your immediate industry. • A well-crafted book serves as a strategic asset, building credibility, expanding reach, and opening doors to new opportunities and revenue streams. If you enjoyed hearing Michael Horn unpack how big ideas like Jobs to Be Done can move from theory into real-world impact, you'll want to keep the momentum going with Liz Wiseman's episode, Taking Thought Leadership from Page to Practice. Both conversations dive into the art of translating deep expertise into actionable strategies that resonate beyond your immediate circle. Michael explored how to adapt proven frameworks to education, careers, and personal decisions. Liz builds on that by showing how to make your thought leadership stick—turning insights into tangible change within organizations. By listening to both episodes, you'll gain a powerful one-two punch: Michael's perspective on expanding the reach of great ideas, and Liz's blueprint for ensuring those ideas drive real, measurable results. Together, they'll give you fresh tools to move your own thought leadership from inspiration to implementation.

What happens when world-class research escapes the ivory tower and takes root in the boardroom In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Christopher Marquis — Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge and author of "Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs" — to explore the art of turning academic insight into practical, high-impact business thinking. Chris is on a mission to bridge the gap between scholarship and the real world. He believes that ideas shouldn't be trapped in academic journals read by only a handful of peers. Instead, they should spark change in boardrooms, inspire sustainable business practices, and help leaders tackle global challenges like climate change. His work blends rigorous research with compelling storytelling, translating complex theories into actionable strategies that resonate with executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike. From op-eds in The Washington Post to features in Harvard Business Review, Chris knows how to make ideas travel. He shares how brevity, boldness, and a clear thesis can elevate a message — and why writing 800 words for a newspaper can sometimes have more impact than publishing in the most prestigious academic journal. For Chris, thought leadership is about reach and relevance, not just citations and tenure points. The conversation dives into the discipline of choosing which ideas deserve a book, the craft of finding evergreen principles that survive political and economic cycles, and the skill of meeting business leaders where they are — without losing academic rigor. Chris also offers practical advice for academics ready to step beyond their university walls, connect with executive audiences, and position their work at the intersection of insight and impact. If you want to understand how to turn deep expertise into broad influence — without watering it down — this episode will show you how. Three Key Takeaways: • Academic credibility needs business reach — Groundbreaking research has little impact if it stays locked in academic journals. Translating ideas into accessible formats like op-eds, HBR articles, and books makes them actionable for business leaders. • Evergreen principles drive lasting influence — Successful thought leadership balances timeless core ideas (like sustainability imperatives) with timely examples that connect to current cultural, political, or economic contexts. • Storytelling bridges the gap — Data and theory matter, but real-world stories, case studies, and clear narratives are what resonate with executive audiences and create lasting engagement. If you enjoyed Christopher's episode, don't miss our conversation with Mark Smith, who built SHRM's thought leadership function from the ground up. Both share a passion for taking complex research and turning it into clear, actionable insights that reach the right audiences. Chris brings the global lens of sustainability; Mark offers the inside view of embedding thought leadership within an organization. Together, these episodes show you how to move ideas from theory to real-world influence. Listen here: Discovering Thought Leadership – Mark Smith

What if your team—not just your leaders—held the key to breakthrough performance? Today, Peter Winick sits down with long-time friend and bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi to explore why "leadership" alone isn't enough anymore. Keith's new work, "Never Lead Alone", moves beyond the individual and puts the spotlight on "teamship"—a powerful, often-overlooked force in organizational transformation. Keith shares how he's evolved from "Never Eat Alone"—a networking classic—into building high-performing teams inside Fortune 500 companies. But this isn't just about motivation. It's about methodology. Codified insights. Research-backed models. Keith reveals how he helps leaders double market cap by engineering behavior change at the team level, not just at the top. You'll learn why methodology beats storytelling, why collaboration is the new leadership, and how research—done with clients—can be both a content engine and a revenue stream. Keith also outlines how aspiring thought leaders can start by defining ten transformational takeaways, then refine and test them before writing a word. This episode isn't just for authors or coaches. It's for anyone serious about scaling their thought leadership into real impact. Whether you're inside a $200B company or building your brand, Keith shows you how to package your ideas to create change—and monetize it. Three Key Takeaways: • Teamship Over Leadership Keith introduces the concept of teamship—a shift from individual leadership to empowering entire teams to take ownership of outcomes. He argues that in today's complex environments, real transformation happens when everyone on the team steps up, not just the person at the top. • Codify Your Methodology Keith stresses that great thought leadership isn't just about storytelling—it's about creating repeatable, scalable systems. He encourages aspiring thought leaders to start by defining ten transformational takeaways and building their intellectual property around those core ideas. • Use Research as a Revenue Engine Rather than treating research as a cost center, Keith explains how he partners with organizations to co-create studies that drive both insight and income. This approach not only funds his work but creates built-in audiences and credibility before a book or product even launches. If Keith Ferrazzi's insights on teamship and codifying leadership resonated with you, don't miss our episode with Julie Williamson. Julie takes a deep dive into how aligned communication and leadership strategy can unlock the full potential of your teams—echoing Keith's core message that transformation isn't a solo act. Where Keith challenges leaders to move from authority to collaboration, Julie shows you how to create that alignment across teams to drive real results. Listen to both episodes and walk away with a clearer understanding of how to lead through teams, build scalable methodologies, and create impact across an entire organization. Listen to Julie Williamson's episode now.

Suba Vasudevan, COO of Mozilla and board member of Mozilla AI, discusses the intersection of thought leadership and execution in mission-driven organizations. She emphasizes that effective leadership is rooted in transparency and authenticity. Suba highlights the dual purpose of thought leadership—boosting brand visibility while aligning internal teams around shared goals. She also explores how KPIs can measure success, striking a balance between financial health and a robust internet ecosystem, urging leaders to invest in thought leadership for true organizational transformation.

What if the game of Whac-A-Mole perfectly described your leadership challenges? Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein think it does. These two veteran consultants have spent over four decades tackling recurring, high-stakes issues inside organizations—and they've captured those lessons in their book "Leadership Whack-A-Mole: Actionable Strategies to Leadership Challenges". Today's episode, Ric and Jeff join Peter to explore how they've turned decades of shared experience into a practical, real-world guide for leaders. They break down the leadership issues that keep popping up across industries—and how to stop reacting and start leading with intent. You'll hear how they co-authored the book using a creative "client and consultant" back-and-forth format, bringing both the problem and the solution to life. They explain why holistic thinking and real-world examples matter more than trendy buzzwords, and how their book is designed as a field manual—not theory—for leaders at all levels. Ric and Jeff also speak candidly about what it's like to move from writing to marketing—especially when you're more comfortable solving problems than promoting your own work. Their insights are honest, valuable, and relevant for any thought leader looking to get their ideas into the hands of decision-makers. If you've ever felt like you're playing Whack-A-Mole in your business, this episode offers the clarity—and calm—you need. Three Key Takeaways: • Leadership Challenges Are Recurring—But Solvable Many leaders face the same issues over and over, much like a game of Whack-A-Mole. Ric and Jeff highlight that these aren't random events—they're symptoms of deeper systemic issues. Their book offers a practical, experience-based approach to diagnosing and solving those patterns. • Thought Leadership Can Be Built from Shared Experience Rather than theory or research alone, their content comes from decades of real-world consulting work. By using a client-consultant format, they deliver insight from both sides of the leadership equation, making their ideas accessible and actionable for readers. • Marketing a Book Requires a Mindset Shift Writing the book was only half the battle. Ric and Jeff learned that promoting thought leadership requires stepping into new roles—connecting with networks, refining their message, and overcoming the reluctance to "sell." Believing deeply in their content helped them get comfortable with promotion. If you enjoyed our conversation with Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein on turning decades of consulting experience into practical thought leadership, you won't want to miss this episode: Advice for Marketing, Messaging, and Publishing Books with Aurora Winter. Just like Ric and Jeff, the Aurora dove into the real-world challenges authors and thought leaders face—not just in writing the book, but in getting it into the right hands. You'll hear candid advice on crafting compelling messaging, navigating the business side of publishing, and building visibility through smart marketing. Both episodes highlight a critical truth: writing a great book is just the beginning. Whether you're an author, consultant, or executive with ideas to share, this conversation will help you move from manuscript to market with clarity and confidence.

What if you could lead organizational change the same way revolutions overthrow regimes? Today on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Greg Satell—co-founder of ChangeOS, bestselling author of "Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change", and one of the world's top experts on transformational change. Greg doesn't just talk about change—he's lived through it, from leading media organizations during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine to building practical frameworks used by today's largest corporations. Greg shares why traditional change management often fails and how organizations can instead harness the power of movements. Drawing from real-world revolutions and network science, he explains why resistance is predictable, why change requires collective action, and how to create sustainable, culture-driven transformation that sticks. He also breaks down the tools and models behind his work—like the Resistance Inventory and Cultural Trigger Mapping—and why building evangelists inside your organization is critical to long-term success. If your team is struggling with change fatigue, inertia, or lack of alignment, Greg's insights offer a radically different way forward. This episode is packed with sharp, actionable frameworks for CEOs, CHROs, transformation leaders, and fellow thought leaders alike. If you're looking to drive change that actually lasts—this conversation is a must-listen. Three Key Takeaways: • Change is a people problem, not just a strategy problem. Successful transformation requires shifting beliefs and behaviors—not just processes or structures. • Resistance is predictable—and manageable. Most change initiatives fail because they don't identify or plan for resistance. A resistance inventory helps leaders anticipate and navigate pushback. • Lasting change spreads like a movement. True transformation requires internal evangelists who influence their networks, making the change sustainable beyond any one leader or initiative. If Greg's episode sparked your interest in how movements drive lasting change, you'll want to explore our conversation with Urvashi Bhatnagar on Implementing Niche Solutions at Scale. Both episodes dive into the challenge of turning big ideas into sustainable results—whether it's building cultural momentum for transformation or scaling specialized solutions across complex organizations. Urvashi's insights on aligning niche innovations with organizational structures complement Greg's frameworks for overcoming resistance and creating internal evangelists. Together, these episodes offer a powerful blueprint for leaders who need to drive change that sticks and scales.

What if you could design the future — instead of reacting to it? In today's episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with futurist and design strategist Lisa Kay Solomon to explore how leaders can use design thinking to actively shape what's next. Lisa is a Designer-in-Residence at Stanford's d.school, an educator, a bestselling author, and a respected voice on the Thinkers50 Radar list. She helps leaders and organizations make better long-term decisions in a short-term world. Her superpower? Turning vague uncertainty into actionable insight — by teaching leaders how to think like futurists. Lisa shares how she guides boards, conference planners, and executive teams through complex challenges. She doesn't just create better experiences — she builds capabilities that last. Whether it's designing strategic conversations or preparing teams to operate in ambiguity, Lisa brings a toolkit of creative, repeatable practices to move from stuck to strategic. If you've ever found yourself saying, "Yeah, but that would never happen here," Lisa has a chapter — and a strategy — just for you. This conversation is packed with high-impact takeaways for those who want to lead with intention and design a future worth inhabiting. Three Key Takeaways: • Designing the Future Is a Teachable Skill Lisa argues that futures thinking isn't a mysterious talent—it's a learnable capability. Most leaders have been trained to focus on short-term goals. Lisa teaches them how to widen their lens, shift perspective, and think long-term using strategic design practices. • Great Ideas Need More Than Strategy—They Need Capability Organizations often bring Lisa in to spark innovation—whether at board meetings or large conferences. But the real value she delivers goes beyond a single event. She helps teams build the capabilities to sustain innovation, adapt to change, and continue asking the right questions long after she's gone. • Overcoming the "Yeah, Buts" That Block Progress Lisa names the top three "yeah, buts" that sabotage future thinking: short-term pressure, lack of resources, and not knowing how. Her approach disarms these mental blockers by reframing possibility as practical—and showing leaders how to move from reactive to proactive in shaping what's next. If you found Lisa Kay Solomon's insights on designing the future and building long-term leadership capabilities compelling, you won't want to miss our episode with Joseph Press: Thought Leadership for Future Thinking. Both Lisa and Joseph explore how leaders can move beyond short-term fixes to shape more intentional, future-ready organizations. While Lisa focuses on strategic conversations and capability building through design, Joseph dives into how thought leadership and digital transformation intersect to foster future thinking. Together, these episodes offer a powerful one-two punch for anyone looking to lead with clarity, creativity, and courage in uncertain times. Listen to both and equip yourself with the mindset and tools to not just predict the future—but actively shape it.

In this special compilation episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Bill Sherman brings together four voices at the forefront of AI and innovation: Jen Cohen, Stephanie Grayson, Amelia Ross, and Spencer Ante. Each offers a powerful, firsthand take on how AI is changing the way we lead, communicate, and make decisions. Jen Cohen explores how AI can amplify—rather than replace—human potential. She's seen how automation can unlock joy and confidence, from safe driving to elder care. For Cohen, AI is about purpose, empathy, and enabling people to thrive through their "ikigai." Stephanie Grayson shares how AI is becoming an essential research partner in the world of B2B thought leadership. But she also flags real risks—from bias to hallucinations—and warns that without humans in the loop, AI can damage brand trust faster than it can build it. Amelia Ross breaks down how natural language processing (NLP) can make sense of real-time chaos, like the war in Ukraine. She reveals how AI-driven insights helped governments and companies cut through disinformation and find clarity in crisis—demonstrating the societal power of smart content strategy. And Spencer Ante takes us to the edge of the AI frontier, where generative tools like ChatGPT are reshaping not just how we work, but how we think. A former investigative journalist, he calls on business leaders to collaborate with AI—not fear it—and to focus on managing truth, training systems, and preserving human creativity and empathy. From content to ethics, strategy to scalability, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading in a world shaped by machines—and guided by human insight. Four Key Takeaways AI should be used to amplify human capability, not replace it. Whether in automated driving or elder care, AI can remove risk and enhance joy—while preserving purpose and human involvement. Thought leadership must remain human-led and carefully validated. AI is a powerful research assistant, but without human oversight, it risks spreading misinformation and damaging trust. AI-driven NLP can turn unstructured real-time data into actionable insight, helping organizations cut through disinformation and respond quickly to fast-changing global events. AI won't replace human creativity—it will augment intelligence. Leaders must learn to collaborate with AI tools, supervise them, and guide them with empathy and strategy.

Can doing good in the world be quantified like ROI? Peter Winick sits down with Nick Cooney, founder and managing partner of Lever VC, to explore how a venture capitalist measures moral return alongside financial return. Nick's not your typical VC—he's also the author of "What We Don't Do: Inaction in the Face of Suffering and the Drive to Do More", a book that fuses analytical thinking with a deep commitment to reducing suffering. Nick reveals how dictating thoughts during a long car ride led to a full-fledged book deal with Simon & Schuster. But this isn't just a passion project—it's a strategic move. Nick shares how writing the book expands his credibility with mission-driven founders and impact-minded investors. You'll hear how he uses the "Brady Rule"—a nod to NFL legend Tom Brady—to challenge philanthropists to pursue giving with the same intensity as professional athletes pursue greatness. And how the overlap between financial rigor and moral responsibility creates a powerful (and rare) kind of leader. Peter and Nick dive into the strategic value of thought leadership for VCs: from deal flow to LP trust, to long-game positioning. Plus, Nick shares what he's learned from marketing the book, why the publishing timeline misses the mark, and what feedback surprised him most. This is a conversation for anyone looking to align meaning with metrics—and use content to drive serious business outcomes. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought Leadership Can Power Business Strategy Nick's book isn't just a personal project—it's a tool to build credibility, drive deal flow, and attract like-minded investors and founders. A well-positioned book can serve as your most powerful business card. • Impact and Analytics Aren't Mutually Exclusive Nick bridges the gap between rigorous financial thinking and doing good. He argues that applying ROI-based decision-making to philanthropy and impact can dramatically increase the effectiveness of our efforts to reduce suffering. • You Can—and Should—Train for Good Like an Athlete One standout idea from Nick's book is the "Brady Rule"—a call for people to approach doing good in the world with the same intensity, discipline, and optimization mindset as elite athletes do their sport. If Nick Cooney's episode got you thinking about how doing good can be measured, optimized, and scaled—then you'll want to dive into our conversation with Dr. Moshe Engelberg. Like Nick, Moshe challenges traditional business thinking by bringing purpose and values into the spotlight. In his episode, we explore how love—yes, love—can be a strategic business advantage, driving both culture and performance. Both Nick and Moshe offer bold frameworks for leaders who want to align their success with meaningful impact. If you're rethinking ROI to include humanity, ethics, and long-term value, this is the perfect next listen: Love from Thought Leadership with Moshe Engelberg