How to build Strategic digital influence as a high performing leader or professional

By Paa Kwesi FOLSON

What if you could go from being just another professional in your industry to someone who gets invited to speak at top industry conferences?

What if your expertise positioned you to be called upon for leadership roles, advisory boards and global opportunities, without you even applying? Imagine being recognised and awarded for your impact, rather than chasing accolades.

This is the power of strategic digital influence, a force that separates those who merely work in their industries from those who shape them.

Truth is everyone seeks to have an advantage, a competitive advantage; something that distinguishes them from other people in the marketplace. Some pursue an MBA to distinguish themselves from the growing number of Bachelor’s degree holders.

Others push further with a PhD to stay ahead of the rising tide of MBA graduates. Many pursue top professional certifications like ACCA, PMP or CIM, not just for knowledge, but to enhance their value in their industry and attract better opportunities.

It will surprise you to know that times have changed, the dynamics of marketplace success are not the same anymore. Years ago, having the right degrees and certifications could set you apart.

Today, in a world where digital has taken centre-stage, accelerated even further by the COVID-19 era, those old advantages alone are no longer enough. Your certification or years of experience alone will not guarantee success in today’s competitive world. If you truly want to elevate your career or business, you must build strategic digital influence.

Professionals are landing higher-paying jobs, not just because of their credentials, but because they are strategically positioning themselves online. Business leaders are gaining more opportunities, not just because of their experience, but because their influence extends beyond boardrooms and into the digital space.

Take Tony Elumelu as an example. His digital presence has made him an icon, giving him and his company far greater reach and leverage than many other top banking executives. He gets invited to CNN, Stanford and other global platforms—not just because of his success, but because of his influence.

But let’s be clear: this is not just about the buzzword ‘personal branding’. Strategic influence is different.

Personal branding is about how you present and project yourself online; but strategic digital influence is about how you position yourself to shape industry conversations, attract opportunities and establish authority as an indispensable figure in your industry.

I can speak this way because not only have I built strategic digital influence, I have also helped many leaders from Ghana to the United Kingdom to other parts of Africa build strategic digital influence; and so without talking much, let me show you how in 4 steps:

Step 1: Define your digital authority

Identify the specific area where you want to be known as an expert. Influence is built on specialisation & generalisation; people think it is only specialisation but it is both.

If you head a company – it could be a large corporation, you have the ability to speak on the core competence of your company as an area of specialisation and still speak on a general topic like leadership, character or something of that sort.

Step 2: Engage in ‘lower & higher realm’ content

Lower realm content is when you share things online, like mere social media or blog posts. It could be videos, tweets, short write-ups on LinkedIn, normal posting. However, that is not enough.

You want to combine lower realm content with something called higher realm content by making an ebook or physical book, starting a podcast, organising an event (webinar or physical conference/seminar), creating a community or exclusive network where you share insights.

Over here, you want to be seen as the one leading or spearheading something by creating content but on a higher level than just mere social media posts; opportunities gravitate to leaders not followers. By actively doing this, you will grow your following online.

Step 3: Leverage third party platforms

You have to be seen on platforms other than the platforms you have built by yourself. Engage in conversations with industry leaders, get featured on credible platforms like Television or Radio, or even better podcasts or contribute on an article like I am doing now and highlight key achievements that reinforce your authority.

Step 4: Engage with strategic partnerships

Every industry already has key players; find a way to be associated with them in some way. Now if you do step 2, it will be easy to be associated with these key players. Let me explain; if you are in a field like logistics, find the key players and either invite them to speak at your event.

So now you are not forcing your way into their circle, there is a substantial reason for association. When people in your industry see you with them, now you become influential and this is how you do it.

These four steps will turn you into a ‘thought leader’ and help you build strategic digital influence.

>>>If you liked this and you want to learn how to actually implement this just like we have helped hundreds and professionals and top leaders, just reach out via www.paakwesifolson or via my social media Paa Kwesi Folson.

The post How to build Strategic digital influence as a high performing leader or professional appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

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