Thought Leader vs. Doer

Don't you love the title Thought Leader? Perhaps not. I am not even sure how it actually came to be, nor do I really care at this point. It seems to me that it sounds a little like the old adage - "Those who can't do - teach." I have spent a great deal of time listening and reading what thought leaders have to say. I think it is important to study the industry where you reside and to know the key players, as well as understand what success looks like.

What does success in the HR or Recruiting Industry look like? Is it when your blog is read or tweeted by hundreds? Is it when you get asked to speak at a conference? It is when you write a book? Is it when you make your 500th placement? Is it when you and your business survive a downturn? Is it when a client calls you back? Is it when you make a great placement? Is it when your business grows continually? Is it when somebody buys your blog? (By the way, Jerry Albright's is for sale - it's best if your name is Jerry or maybe you just like the name Jerry - www.JerrytheRecruiter.com) Is it when you make the latest Best or Most List that is based on a specific algorithm that nobody really understands?

Is it when you're client/hiring manager is content and calls you for the next requisition? Is it when your candidate is happy? Is it when YOU are satisfied with your work and the outcomes you are able to produce? Maybe you just want to think and write about the industry and are not worried about producing anything. Is that a Thought Leader? Or is a Thought Leader's product inspiration or motivation?

I sat next to Jason Davis at TRULondon last week just briefly between sessions and an announcement was made that sounded a lot like Jason had been deemed a Thought Leader in the recruiting industry. Jason leaned over to me and said, "I don't want to be a Thought Leader or even thought of as a Thought Leader..." I have never thought of Jason as a Thought Leader. He is a worker bee, he is a Doer. He doesn't sit back and count awards or money. He doesn't rely on anyone else to do the job he needs to do. He is constantly evolving, looking for the newer, better way, chasing after the next big idea, putting that idea into action and surrounding himself with incredible people.

What exactly would the job description of a Thought Leader look like? Umm..., Think deep thoughts? Inspire thought in others? Have a Doctorate in Thinkology? Are you more inspired by someone who thinks or someone who does? What do you want to be when you grow up? Are statues built of Thought Leaders? Perhaps, but guess who built them? Now you get the picture.

by rayannethorn

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on February 24, 2010 at 12:39pm

I'm much more inspired by those are are doers. When it comes to trainers for example, I find those who are top billers and still actively recruiting to be far more credible than those who no longer recruit.

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Permalink Reply by pam claughton on February 24, 2010 at 1:18pm

Maren,

Good point and I think it illustrates that a lot of people we respect as thought leaders are more comfortable being considered doers. The people I consider thought leaders are those who in lead in my field, by doing. :)

Maren Hogan said:

LOL. I remember once when I tried to include the words "thought leader" in some copy for RecruitngBlogs.com and Jason about lopped my head off. But just because someone I respect (and work for) doesn't wanted to be branded with the term doesn't mean I think the phrase doesn't hold merit. I like the phrase and think that every society needs people to THINK. Whether you call them scientists, philosphers, analysts or thought leaders, the job description is the same.

I don't think anyone will ever call me a thought leader and I'm cool with that, I do a lot of stuff. So much so, that I have had more than one mentor tell me to take the time to go for a walk, sit down and think, take time for strategy--good advice. In a society, industry, era where we are going faster than ever before, I hesitate to take the thought leaders out of the process.

And as far as Jason is concerned, for someone who doesn't want to be deemed a "thought leader" he sure does say "let's think about that for a while" a lot in our daily phone meetings. :)

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on February 24, 2010 at 3:40pm

Uh, Rayanne, it just so happens that I myself am a thought leader. Excuse me: Thought Leader. There is such a thing.....and I suspect John Sumser is as well. You can tell just by looking at the man. He's thinking. And his thoughts are further ahead than most in the room. So what else would you call it?

Many of us (TL's) simply go about our work - thinking, doing, then thinking some more (all the while immersed in the deepest of thoughts) - without making a big deal about it. Typically we don't even reply to stuff like this. Not that it's beneath us (because it surely is) but because we're just busy. Very busy.

So go ahead and laugh. It's nothing new.

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Permalink Reply by Margo Rose on February 24, 2010 at 4:23pm

One might say you're a thought leader Ray Anne. You are prominent on blogtalkradio programs, your blog here rocks, you are an active on twitter, linkedin and facebook. You embrace technology, and people look to your for advice. I happen to like you very much personally...therefore...you are a thought leader. So there darlin'.

I think the term is over used, but the entity that embodies the term "thought leader" will never go away. Thought leaders are the people we look to for leadership. They are our mentors, our conference speakers, our trend setters, our authors, and in some cases, if we are lucky, our friends.

I just wrote a post about how mentoring matters. My mentors have been thought leaders in my mind, and in my heart. Great Post.

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Permalink Reply by Donna Brewington White on February 24, 2010 at 5:06pm

What Margo said.

Also, here is a way to look at it: Thought precedes action. Therefore, those who lead in thought will eventually influence the thoughts and then the actions of others.

Some are more wired for analysis, thinking, reflection, etc. Some are more wired for action. Doesn't mean you can't be both, but some are definitely stronger in one or the other.

Rarely is a thought leader someone who is completely removed from action because it is in the thick of things that you discover problems or the need for new ways of doing things...but the thought leader is the one who will not be able to rest until he/she has spent some time thinking about this and drawing some new conclusion. It's hard to do this and not be excited about sharing it. It's in that spirit that I appreciate thought leaders.

Without thought leaders things pretty much stay status quo. If you are a thought leader, don't be ashamed of it. Own it. IMHO

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on February 24, 2010 at 5:27pm

Real thought leaders don't give a roaring rat's rear if anybody else thinks they are one and they don't have to throw fits about who is on a list or isn't or protest about the methods used to determine the list of thought leaders.

About the silliest i have seen is somebody who makes a list then expounds that they don't think they are so something must be wrong with the methods used to determine the list. Learn to say "thank you" and don't make an idiot out of your immature little self. Leaders of all kinds tend to be respected because they are both humble and gracious. If you don't think you deserve it make an effort to rise to the occasion.

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Permalink Reply by Maureen Sharib on February 25, 2010 at 11:14am

I saw a tweet abt a month ago that leaders are people who just want to get things done. The "thought" stuck w/ me.

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Permalink Reply by Alasdair Murray on February 25, 2010 at 11:28am

I'm really averse to terms that some person has dreamed up, presumably to apply to themselves if it sounds cool, or others if it sounds awful (the oft used term 'human capital' springs to mind for the latter). If someone is a thought leader then presumably those who hang on to their every word are 'thought followers' or maybe 'human sheep' would be a good term to use? Honestly, we are all individuals with personalites, emotions, experiences and thoughts. Why do we need to label everyone and everything, other than to boost or belittle an ego?

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Permalink Reply by Sean Ryan on February 26, 2010 at 6:04pm

Sandra - I agree with everything you said except one thing:

Sandra McCartt said:

Real thought leaders don't give a roaring rat's rear if anybody else thinks they are one

What the hell is a "real" thought leader? My bigger question is "What is a 'Thought Leader' in the first place"?

I'm new to the world of 'recruiters' - actually came from TV news. I can assure you that, while I was in the broadcast industry, no one - ever - used the term 'thought leader'. In fact, when someone first used the word around me, it sounded like something out of "Office Space". Something "the Bobs" would have come up with.

There are a number of people in this industry and others for which I have great respect - and whose opinion I value dearly. But I don't get why we feel like we are among a bunch of modern-day Socrates, Aristotles, and Descartes... Please. It's nauseating.

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Permalink Reply by Donna Brewington White on February 26, 2010 at 6:24pm

Wait until you have a client that wants to hire one. Then it will matter and you will figure out what a thought leader is. We recruiters tend to be a pragmatic bunch as a general rule.

Sean Ryan said:

Sandra - I agree with everything you said except one thing:
Sandra McCartt said:
Real thought leaders don't give a roaring rat's rear if anybody else thinks they are one

What the hell is a "real" thought leader? My bigger question is "What is a 'Thought Leader' in the first place"?

I'm new to the world of 'recruiters' - actually came from TV news. I can assure you that, while I was in the broadcast industry, no one - ever - used the term 'thought leader'. In fact, when someone first used the word around me, it sounded like something out of "Office Space". Something "the Bobs" would have come up with.

There are a number of people in this industry and others for which I have great respect - and whose opinion I value dearly. But I don't get why we feel like we are among a bunch of modern-day Socrates, Aristotles, and Descartes... Please. It's nauseating.

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Permalink Reply by Sean Ryan on February 26, 2010 at 6:40pm

Fair enough :-)

But I still call b-s on a "thought leader" being a worthwhile member of any community or industry.

We might as well call Rush Limbaugh or Keith Olbermann "Thought Leaders"... but anyone with a brain knows they are talking to a good number of "thoughtless followers" out there. But I digress...

If you missed David Sivers "Leadership" talk at TED - check it out: http://www.catsone.com/blog/leadership-funny-thing (shameless blog plug - I admit.)

I would apply this video to the conversation around "Thought Leader" and suggest this:
The "Real Leaders" are A) the guy who gets up and starts dancing, and B) the first follower.

A "Thought Leader" in this example would be someone sitting, thinking, and pondering "Gee - I think people should get up and dance".

In other words: Not a leader at all.

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on February 26, 2010 at 7:12pm

Oh Sean, i am going to love you to death. I earned my spurs in TV broadcasting when tennis balls were square. I would "talk to you in televison" except it would get cut by the FCC and we would both get fined.

I dont' know what a "real" one is myself. Since you are new to recruiting you are going to see a lot of those stupid words and phrases that our industry has to use to make ourselves look or sound important. Just buzz words, our industry is covered up with them to the point that it doesn't even sound like English.

Just do it live and don't worry about it. :)

Sean Ryan said:

Sandra - I agree with everything you said except one thing:

Sandra McCartt said:
Real thought leaders don't give a roaring rat's rear if anybody else thinks they are one

What the hell is a "real" thought leader? My bigger question is "What is a 'Thought Leader' in the first place"?

I'm new to the world of 'recruiters' - actually came from TV news. I can assure you that, while I was in the broadcast industry, no one - ever - used the term 'thought leader'. In fact, when someone first used the word around me, it sounded like something out of "Office Space". Something "the Bobs" would have come up with.

There are a number of people in this industry and others for which I have great respect - and whose opinion I value dearly. But I don't get why we feel like we are among a bunch of modern-day Socrates, Aristotles, and Descartes... Please. It's nauseating.