- Founder to Thought Leader
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- How to stand up for something you believe in
It takes courage to stand up for something you believe in.
And courage was exactly what tech entrepreneur, Alex Depledge needed when she took to question time this week. Luckily she realises something that is so easy to forget…
If people didn’t care about what YOU think;
they’d have asked someone else instead
I’ve been lucky enough to know Alex for a number of years now - she’s one of the most unapologetically outspoken and kind people I know.
As a speaker, podcaster, panelist, commentator, she lights up the room.
Why? Because she’s given herself permission to have an opinion.
A smart strategy; most are avoid of any.
Therein lies the opportunity; opinions get you noticed.
And that’s why they require such courage.
Not everyone’s going to like what you say.
Ultimately it comes back to a fundamental question:
What are you really doing this for?
Alex doesn’t speak for audience validation; she speaks to create change and this 95 second clip, was her chance to do just that…
This is the part where I normally share three things she did in the clip that will make you a better speaker.
Not today (you can find those on LinkedIn instead). Today is about something else entirely:
The power of not staying in your lane.
Alex is perhaps best known for founding Resi, a platform that’s reinventing home renovation. She also sits on the board of Startup Coalition, shaping policy for the digital economy.
But in this clip, she wasn’t talking about homes or startups.
She was talking about loneliness. Connection. Smartphones in schools.
True thought leadership is built on three levels of viewpoint. You need:
An expert view
Your craft. Your product. Your specialism.
For Alex: That’s home renovation and planning as the Founder of Resi.An industry view
How your work and sector fits into the bigger picture.
For Alex: Shaping policy for the digital economy on the board of Startup Coalition.A world view
The change you want to see on a societal level, beyond your industry.
For Alex: In this case, loneliness, tech addiction and the future of connection.
Most stop at Level 1.
A few get to Level 2.
Make it to Level 3, you’re in the 1% club.
I hope you use today’s email to consider…
Which level are you spending most of your time at?
Have a great week!
Alex
This is exactly the kind of stuff we help our members with inside MicDrop; my public speaking community for tomorrow’s thought leaders.
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Has this topic given you food for thought this week? |