---
title: Attributes of a Thought Leader
description: Key characteristics of thought leaders in social media.
---

[Revenue Acceleration & Growth Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog) » Latest Articles

[ Categories ](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/51247/Attributes-of-a-Thought-Leader#)

- [Infographic](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/infographic)
- [Social Media Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-media-marketing)
- [Marketing Strategy](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-strategy)
- [Content Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/content-marketing)
- [SEO](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/seo)
- [Social Media Trends](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-media-trends)
- [Inbound Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/inbound-marketing)
- [Social Media](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-media)
- [Video](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/video)
- [Facebook](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/facebook)
- [Mobile Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/mobile-marketing)
- [Search Engine Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/search-engine-marketing)
- [Twitter](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/twitter)
- [small business marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/small-business-marketing)
- [Blogs](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/blogs)
- [B2B Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/b2b-marketing)
- [Google](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/google)
- [Metrics](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/metrics)
- [B2B Lead Generation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/b2b-lead-generation)
- [B2B Internet Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/b2b-internet-marketing)
- [Marketing Automation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-automation)
- [Email Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/email-marketing)
- [Lead Generation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-generation)
- [Smartphones](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/smartphones)
- [Lead Nurturing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-nurturing)
- [HubSpot](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/hubspot)
- [Word of Mouth Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/word-of-mouth-marketing)
- [Advertising](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/advertising)
- [YouTube](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/youtube)
- [Website Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/website-marketing)
- [LinkedIn](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/linkedin)
- [ROI](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/roi)
- [Local Business Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/local-business-marketing)
- [Lead Management](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-management)
- [Location-based Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/location-based-marketing)
- [Marketing Trends](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-trends)
- [Pinterest](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/pinterest)
- [Lead Conversion](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-conversion)
- [Videos](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/videos)
- [Website Optimization](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/website-optimization)
- [PPC](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/ppc)
- [Customer Engagement](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/customer-engagement)
- [FourSquare](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/foursquare)
- [Small Business Trends](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/small-business-trends)
- [Digital Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing)
- [Entrepreneurship](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/entrepreneurship)
- [Keyword Research](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/keyword-research)
- [SMB Lead Generation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/smb-lead-generation)
- [Website Design](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/website-design)
- [Monitoring Tools](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/monitoring-tools)
- [marketing automation software](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-automation-software)
- [Customer Satisfaction](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/customer-satisfaction)
- [Link Building](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/link-building)
- [Marketing Analytics](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-analytics)
- [strategic marketing planning](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/strategic-marketing-planning)
- [Bing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/bing)
- [Branding](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/branding)
- [Call to Action](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/call-to-action)
- [Customer Service](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/customer-service)
- [Editorial Calendar](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/editorial-calendar)
- [PR](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/pr)
- [Startup](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/startup)
- [Thought Leadership](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/thought-leadership)
- [Analytics](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/analytics)
- [CRM](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/crm)
- [Groupon](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/groupon)
- [Infographics](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/infographics)
- [Lead Scoring](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-scoring)
- [Mobile Website](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/mobile-website)
- [Social Commerce](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-commerce)
- [Social Gaming](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-gaming)
- [Web Analytics](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/web-analytics)
- [Yahoo!](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/yahoo)
- [small business Internet Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/small-business-internet-marketing)
- [Conversion Testing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/conversion-testing)
- [Conversions](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/conversions)
- [Demand Generation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/demand-generation)
- [Gamification](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/gamification)
- [Guest Blogging](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/guest-blogging)
- [Lead Generation Software](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/lead-generation-software)
- [SMS Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/sms-marketing)
- [Sales Funnel](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/sales-funnel)
- [Social Customer](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-customer)
- [Viral](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/viral)
- [Engagement](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/engagement)
- [Innovation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/innovation)
- [Sales 2.0](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/sales-20)
- [Social Business](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-business)
- [Social Discovery](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-discovery)
- [Website Development](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/website-development)
- [Website Promotion](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/website-promotion)
- [Adwords](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/adwords)
- [Announcements](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/announcements)
- [B2B Lead Generation Services](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/b2b-lead-generation-services)
- [B2C Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/b2c-marketing)
- [Blogging](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/blogging)
- [Data Visualization](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/data-visualization)
- [Instagram](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/instagram)
- [Landing Page](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/landing-page)
- [Local SEO](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/local-seo)
- [Mobile App](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/mobile-app)
- [Online Ads](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/online-ads)
- [Outbound Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/outbound-marketing)
- [Paid Search](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/paid-search)
- [Reports](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/reports)
- [Retail Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/retail-marketing)
- [Social Media Optimization](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-media-optimization)
- [Timing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/timing)
- [Backlinks](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/backlinks)
- [Blog Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/blog-marketing)
- [Brand Awareness](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/brand-awareness)
- [Business Blogging](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/business-blogging)
- [Consumer Trends](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/consumer-trends)
- [Facebook marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/facebook-marketing)
- [Google Local](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/google-local)
- [Google Local Search](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/google-local-search)
- [Inbound Sales](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/inbound-sales)
- [Mobile Email](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/mobile-email)
- [NFC](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/nfc)
- [Sales Strategy](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/sales-strategy)
- [Smarketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/smarketing)
- [Social Location](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-location)
- [Traditional Media](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/traditional-media)
- [Twitter Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/twitter-marketing)
- [buyer personas](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/buyer-personas)
- [inbound marketing services](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/inbound-marketing-services)
- [strategic marketing consulting](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/strategic-marketing-consulting)
- [Apple](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/apple)
- [Apps](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/apps)
- [Attribution Modeling](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/attribution-modeling)
- [Authority](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/authority)
- [Blog](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/blog)
- [Brand Advocate](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/brand-advocate)
- [Brick and Mortar](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/brick-and-mortar)
- [CPC](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/cpc)
- [CTA](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/cta)
- [Campaign Planning](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/campaign-planning)
- [Closed Loop Reporting](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/closed-loop-reporting)
- [Commenters](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/commenters)
- [Competitor Analysis](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/competitor-analysis)
- [Coupons](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/coupons)
- [Crowdfunding](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Customer Reviews](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/customer-reviews)
- [Daily Deals](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/daily-deals)
- [Dashboard](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/dashboard)
- [Digg](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/digg)
- [Digital Marketing Strategy](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/digital-marketing-strategy)
- [Discounts](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/discounts)
- [Goal Setting](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/goal-setting)
- [Google Places](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/google-places)
- [Image Optimization](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/image-optimization)
- [Inbound Selling](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/inbound-selling)
- [Internet Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/internet-marketing)
- [Kickstarter](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/kickstarter)
- [Marketing Templates](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/marketing-templates)
- [Mcommerce](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/mcommerce)
- [News](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/news)
- [Online Communities](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/online-communities)
- [Outsourced Lead Generation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/outsourced-lead-generation)
- [Partnerships](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/partnerships)
- [Personalization](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/personalization)
- [Photo Sharing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/photo-sharing)
- [Press Releases](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/press-releases)
- [Quality Score](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/quality-score)
- [Quora](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/quora)
- [Reddit](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/reddit)
- [SMO](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/smo)
- [Sales Automation](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/sales-automation)
- [Small Business](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/small-business)
- [Social Sharing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-sharing)
- [Social Video](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/social-video)
- [Tips](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/tips)
- [Tradeshow Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/tradeshow-marketing)
- [Tumblr](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/tumblr)
- [Vine](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/vine)
- [Viral Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/viral-marketing)
- [Webinar](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/webinar)
- [messaging](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/messaging)
- [strategy](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/strategy)

[Word of Mouth Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/word-of-mouth-marketing)

 Mar 15, 2011 • [Staff](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/author/staff)

# Attributes of a Thought Leader

As social media grows, research shows that trust in “credentialed experts” and “company technical specialists” is rising. There's a hunger for thought leadership in social media. These leaders must be well-rounded enough to be comfortable in a number of arenas. From Chris Koch, here are some key characteristics of a thought leader.

**Relevant Experience **- A leader must have experience that sounds relevant to the target audience. He or she can't be seen as peer however. They need to be perceived as an expert, with either deeper experience or a wider breadth of experience than the target audience.

**Presence **- Hard to define, but you know it when you see it. Comfortable with themselves and able to take over a room in a non-threatening way. Able to make others receptive.

**Rapport **- Good people skills, plus the ability to adjust to others' pace, without pandering or patronizing.

**Curiosity **- Intellectually and about people. Good ideas informed by a wide range of other inputs and opinions.

**Synthesis **- Able to pull insights from complex information streams to create a new idea or a new way of looking at an old problem.

**Storytelling **- Able to weave insights into a cognitive narrative that brings ideas to life for others.

**Courage **- Not afraid to question the status quo and defend their ideas. Patience in the face of harsh criticism.

**Empathy **- Able to see things from the perspective of others.

**Humility **- Acknowledges that they don't know everything and makes others feel welcome to contribute.

[View Original Article](http://www.christopherakoch.com/2011/02/eight-attributes-of-a-thought-leader/)

Share [![Share on Facebook](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-facebook.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-facebook.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.client-bridge.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F51247%2FAttributes-of-a-Thought-Leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-linkedin.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-linkedin.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.client-bridge.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F51247%2FAttributes-of-a-Thought-Leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://www.lean-labs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LLv2/images/icon-blog-twitter.png?noresize&width=24&name=icon-blog-twitter.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.client-bridge.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F51247%2FAttributes-of-a-Thought-Leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.client-bridge.com%2Fblog%2Fbid%2F51247%2FAttributes-of-a-Thought-Leader%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Attributes%20of%20a%20Thought%20Leader)

Published by [Staff](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/author/staff)  March 15, 2011

<https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/81746/VIDEO-Raising-Awareness>

[Word of Mouth Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/word-of-mouth-marketing)

 01.22.2013 [Staff](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/author/staff)

### [VIDEO: Raising Awareness](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/81746/VIDEO-Raising-Awareness)

<https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/80734/VIDEO-Social-Media-s-Multiplier-Effect>

[ROI](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/roi)

 12.4.2012 [Staff](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/author/staff)

### [VIDEO: Social Media's Multiplier Effect](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/80734/VIDEO-Social-Media-s-Multiplier-Effect)

[![](https://www.client-bridge.com/hs-fs/file-13718944-jpeg/images/word_of_mouth_marketing_on_facebook-resized-600.jpeg) ](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/80519/INFOGRAPHIC-Word-of-Mouth-Marketing-on-Facebook)

[Word of Mouth Marketing](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/topic/word-of-mouth-marketing)

 11.26.2012 [Staff](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/author/staff)

### [INFOGRAPHIC: Word of Mouth Marketing on Facebook](https://www.client-bridge.com/blog/bid/80519/INFOGRAPHIC-Word-of-Mouth-Marketing-on-Facebook)

![](https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=294775621000513&ev=PageView&noscript=1) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=120632&fmt=gif)