As a thought leader, author, educator, and change leadership practitioner, I write a weekly article that benefits leaders who want to improve their organizations significantly.
I will begin year five of writing weekly blog posts as the new year begins. In the fall of 2019, I signed up for the Recognized Expert course offered by Dorie Clark. Clark is acknowledged as a Top 50 Business Thinkers in the World -Thinkers 50 and the #1 Communications Coach in the World – Marshall Goldsmith Coaching Awards. She is a keynote speaker, consultant, an executive education teacher at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business and Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, and author of many bestseller books. She also offers several courses, with her Recognized Expert Course having the tagline "How to attract clients with your reputation and earn what you're worth." One of several of the course's outcomes for me was writing a weekly blog post in January 2020. I have posted to my blog for 208 consecutive weeks at this point.
Dorie Clark has had an outsize influence on people trying to break through in their careers. She has helped talented people overcome barriers of indifference to find lives of purpose that they love. She has also been a pioneer in the world of "create-your-own way" careers, using creativity and candor throughout. - Professor Rita McGrath, Columbia Business School, and Top 5 Worldwide Business Thinker
For most of my career, I had been a nose-to-the-grindstone employee. I would put in more effort than most peers and deliver great work for my employers. However, in hindsight, that approach did not serve me well. It brings to mind the saying, "Sometimes doing a good job at work is like wetting yourself while wearing a dark suit – you get a warm feeling, but nobody notices." As someone with analyst as his top ClIftonStrengths, I clearly should have figured out much sooner that my approach was flawed—an excellent example of not seeing what others would know in ourselves. I would have benefited from having a business mentor. A first recommendation for others to consider is to find and engage with a great mentor.
A significant outcome of the recognized expert course was a change in mindset. A substantial benefit of Clark's course is that you become a part of her recognized expert community. The community is a closed Facebook group (REXers) where members share aspects of their journeys to become recognized experts. Watching others and conversing with various group members gave me the confidence to start writing my weekly blog. Like most of us creating something new, the work needed improvement. I still cringe when I proclaim I am a thought leader, but many people tell me I am one. A second recommendation is that it is an excellent idea to let others judge whether or not you have attained a particular status.
Another outcome for many RExers group members is writing a book. A seemingly essential element of becoming a recognized expert. Many members have hit the bestseller lists and have received various awards. I accomplished the publishing objective by releasing Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to Excellence in High-Impact Plant Operations in January 2023. I learned a lot during that process and am indebted to many individuals who were a part of the work to bring that to fruition. A third recommendation is that it is crucial to surround ourselves with good people who are invested in and supportive of our success.
I wrote the first of 208 consecutive weekly blog posts four years ago. I have become a better writer, thought leader, and author by taking that first step. I have also learned many valuable lessons regarding the importance of a strong mentor, asking others to judge your status and believing them, and connecting with a great community of those who support one another.
I encourage readers to understand who they are and what they can offer to others that will maximize their impact. I should have done this twenty years ago, but it is never too late to begin. Please self-evaluate and ask those you trust to provide their input. Then, take that insight and develop a plan to put yourself on a path to make the most positive impact possible while doing something you love. The beginning of a new year is a great time to take this action.
I am deeply thankful to the many who have helped me become who I am today. It begins with Dorie Clark and her recognized expert group. There are several to whom I owe thanks, a wonderfully exhaustive list of many incredible individuals. I am further grateful to those who gave me feedback on my written work through blog posts, the LinkedIn newsletter, and my book. Authorship in a niche area of manufacturing can be lonely at times. I always appreciate those occasions when someone writes or tells me they enjoy my work.
Next week's blog will pause to reflect on the upcoming first anniversary of my book launch.
To learn more about our work or read more blog posts, visit emmanuelstratgicsustainability.com.
I encourage you to read my book Humanist Manufacturing: A Humanitarian Approach to Excellence in High-Impact Plant Operations. The paperback and eBook versions are now available at Amazon and many other booksellers. You can also view the Humanist Manufacturing Book Launch to gain additional insight into the Humanist Manufacturing framework.
If you like what you have read, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn.
Contact me if you need help with the manufacturing support services of consulting, coaching, or training/reskilling in change leadership, strategy, tactical planning, and change management by calling me at 734-664-9076.
See my virtual TEDx videos at Reinventing the Prison Industrial Complex and Humanist Manufacturing.
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