Building a reputation as a thought leader requires more than consistency—it demands strategic choices that set you apart from the noise. This article examines 25 specific decisions that professionals made to strengthen their authority, drawing on insights from industry experts who have successfully established their positions. These approaches range from publishing evidence-based content to revealing transparent business metrics, offering practical paths for anyone looking to build credibility in their field.

Here was my contribution:

Speak Early and Everywhere

The biggest impact on my career has been getting behind a microphone, whether on stage, on a podcast, or in creating my own videos and thought leadership. I never pass up a chance to share my voice, my expertise, and content with the world!

The more time I spend on stage, the more people see my message and my personality. From there, I get referrals for other events. I get inbound leads, and I get to clarify my message through real feedback from real human audiences. I believe the only way to get on big stages, big podcasts, and the short list for big opportunities is to start with the small ones. I may do free talks, small projects to prove my expertise, or start my own show with zero listeners and build it up to tens of thousands.

Through those opportunities, I’ve been able to publish a book with LinkedIn, appear on major international stages, and create podcasts with over 4 million downloads.

I practice my own professional development with the belief that the only way to get good at something is to be bad at it first.

Mike Montague, Founder, Avenue9