Do you have what it takes to be a thought leader (and do you know what a thought leader REALLY is)?
Thought leaders have always existed and will always be in demand. To be perceived as one is not as easy as many people like to think. Get this right, however, and achieving thought leader status presents an enormous opportunity for true sector experts who can offer fresh perspectives to gain a huge competitive advantage.
During times of economic and political uncertainty, decision-makers crave insights and ideas that offer solutions – whether full or partial – to the challenges they face. One clear indicator of this demand is the meteoric rise of business podcasting.
The podcast boom: A signal of our insatiable and ongoing need for answers
As of December 2025, there are approximately 4.8 million podcasts worldwide, up from 2 million in 2021. Podcast audiences have surged too, with nearly 600 million listeners globally. In the UK, 51% of adults are active podcast listeners, and 70% consume more than one episode each week (OfCom). The largest demographic? 25–34-year-olds.
This trend underscores a simple truth: our appetite for answers and fresh perspectives is growing rapidly equates to a never-ending demand for thought leadership.
What does it mean to be a thought leader?
Despite the popularity of podcasts, few hosts describe themselves as “thought leaders.” That term is often reserved for LinkedIn users – but are they truly thought leaders?
A genuine thought leader is recognised by peers, customers, and their industry as an expert with deep knowledge in a specific area. Their insights are original, valuable, and actionable, helping audiences solve real problems. If you can relate to this, chances are you are a thought leader. If not, initiating a thought leader strategy and development plan should be a key consideration within your marketing plan in 2026.
The core of thought leadership
True thought leadership is about leveraging expertise to create shareable, relevant content – articles, videos, white papers, podcasts – that addresses your audience’s challenges and needs. The content must be something they actively seek because they need it.
Consider this: a Harvard Business Review study found that US businesses lose $1 trillion annually to competitors because they fail to remain consistently relevant.
Why relevance is non-negotiable
If you don’t understand your customers’ pain points and can’t offer solutions that stand out, creating content is a waste of time. Thought leadership isn’t about noise – it’s about meaningful impact.
I have worked in the personal brand and thought leadership space for 20 years and in the next 12 months these two facets will form the biggest areas of focus for marketers and business leaders. A recent report published in December 2025 by McKinsey states that brand awareness – organisational and personal – is the top priority for CMOs right now. We agree.
People buy from people. Meeting someone at a networking event often leads to stronger connections than an email introduction. We gravitate toward those who feel relatable – and that’s why positioning your leaders as trusted voices is critical.
The opportunity ahead in 2026
Thought leaders have always existed, and they will always be in demand. For those who truly know their stuff and can offer fresh perspectives, this is an enormous opportunity to enhance reputation, build trust, and reach audiences you might otherwise miss.
Ready to become the voice that your industry trusts?
If you want to position your business leaders as recognised thought leaders and create content that truly resonates, get in touch today. Email me on paul@clearlypr.co.uk or click the link below.
Let’s turn your expertise into influence.
