Building Authority Through the Boardroom | Erik Hanberg | 667

What does it take for a self-published author to turn a niche book into a best-seller—and then hand it over to a traditional publisher for its second edition? Erik Hanberg did just that with "The Little Book of Boards: A Board Member’s Handbook for Small and Very Small Nonprofits". His journey offers lessons in entrepreneurship, publishing strategy, and the business of thought leadership. In this episode, Erik shares how his early board experiences shaped his expertise and sparked a desire to help others avoid common pitfalls. What started as trial by fire became a passion for teaching—and a book that has sold more than 40,000 copies. By targeting a highly specific audience, he created a resource that spread by word of mouth, bulk orders, and Amazon’s niche algorithms. We explore the business side of publishing, from self-funded ads that fueled sales growth to negotiating with a Big 5 imprint for the book’s second edition. Erik reveals the financial trade-offs between steady monthly royalties as an independent author and the broader reach a publisher’s distribution network can provide. He also explains how he negotiated a contract that protected his long-term interests. Beyond sales, Erik talks about the opportunities that came once he became “the guy who wrote the book.” From board retreats across the country to consulting engagements, his authorship opened doors that no marketing campaign alone could create. And as AI reshapes how people access answers, Erik reflects on why human experience, frameworks, and authenticity still matter in thought leadership. If you’ve ever wondered how to transform expertise into a platform, or how to balance independence with institutional backing, Erik’s story is both practical and inspiring. Three Key Takeaways: • Niche sells big. By writing The Little Book of Boards for small and very small nonprofits, Erik reached the largest segment in the nonprofit space—and sold more than 50,000 copies. • Publishing is strategy, not luck. Erik turned modest sales into consistent revenue by investing in Amazon ads, then leveraged his track record to negotiate a traditional publishing deal on his terms. • Books open doors. Beyond royalties, authorship positioned Erik as an authority, leading to nationwide consulting and board retreat opportunities—proof that thought leadership creates business growth far beyond the page. If Erik Hanberg’s story showed you how a single book can spark authority and open doors in the nonprofit world, you’ll want to hear how Andrew Button is doing the same—this time in local communities. Andrew shares how thought leadership builds courage, activates ideas, and fuels grassroots change. Don’t just think about scaling ideas nationally—see how they thrive locally, too. Listen now to Andrew Button’s episode on thought leadership in local communities.

What if gambling with your time was the smartest investment you could make as a thought leader? Today on  Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Dan Ariely—renowned behavioral economist, three-time New York Times bestselling author, and one of the sharpest minds in decision science. His work has influenced companies like Google and Apple, guided governments, and sparked movements in how we understand human behavior. Dan shares why he doesn’t believe in rigid career paths but instead embraces intellectual adventure. His approach? Say yes to opportunities, experiment widely, and learn fast. From writing children’s books to advising on Middle East diplomacy, he treats each project as a test of impact and possibility. It’s thought leadership powered by curiosity, not by a fixed roadmap. We explore how Dan chooses where to focus his time and energy—not on where the money is, but on where humanity is underperforming. Whether it’s helping people rethink end-of-life care, confronting our irrational use of social media, or tackling the psychology of sleep, his work points toward reducing suffering and increasing human well-being at scale. What stands out is not just Dan’s research, but his method. He embeds himself in the world he studies. He spends Fridays with palliative care doctors and end-of-life doulas, visits slums to understand poverty, and listens deeply to those at the margins. For him, real thought leadership means turning lived experience into research-backed insights—and transforming those insights into powerful stories people remember. This conversation is a masterclass in aligning expertise with purpose. Dan shows how storytelling, data, and empathy intersect to create impact. And he reminds us that luck isn’t found—it’s generated by saying yes, trying widely, and learning relentlessly. Three Key Takeaways: • Gamble with your time wisely — saying yes to diverse opportunities creates luck, generates new insights, and fuels thought leadership. • Focus where humanity underperforms — the biggest impact comes from tackling areas where society consistently falls short, like end-of-life care, social media use, or health behaviors. • Turn research into stories — embedding in real-world experiences and translating data into memorable narratives makes ideas resonate and spread at scale. If you found this episode thought-provoking, you’ll want to keep the momentum going with our conversation on organizational thought leadership in nonprofits with Marci Alboher. Both episodes shine a light on how thought leadership can tackle the places where humanity underperforms—whether it’s rethinking end-of-life care and decision-making, or changing the narrative around aging and intergenerational collaboration. In Dan’s episode, you’ll hear how curiosity and experimentation fuel insights that reduce suffering and spark change at scale. In Marci’s, you’ll discover how nonprofits can amplify voices, craft stories, and shift perceptions to unlock the untapped value of older generations. Together, these episodes show how purpose-driven thought leadership—grounded in storytelling and human impact—can create real transformation. Listen to Marci’s episode next and expand your perspective on how ideas can drive change across both individuals and organizations.

What happens when every member of your team thinks, works, and communicates differently? Do you see chaos—or do you see opportunity? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Stephanie Chung, bestselling author of "Leading People Who Are Not Like You" and a pioneering executive in the aviation industry. Stephanie challenges leaders to move beyond surface-level diversity and embrace the reality that every team is built on differences—in age, gender, culture, abilities, experiences, and thinking styles. Her thought leadership reframes leadership for today’s workplace. This isn’t about DEI checkboxes. It’s about ROI. Leaders who know how to harness diverse perspectives build stronger, more innovative, and more resilient organizations. Stephanie introduces her ALLY framework—Ask, Listen, Learn, and then act—to help leaders cut through the noise and lead with both head and heart. She points out that too many leaders default to “safe teams” where everyone looks different but thinks the same. Safe teams don’t innovate. They underperform. Great leadership requires stepping into the challenge of managing complexity and difference. Stephanie’s work equips executives with the tools and mindset to do just that. Stephanie also highlights the real business case. Diverse teams deliver better outcomes, but only when leaders develop the skill—and courage—to engage differences instead of ignoring them. Her book and keynotes are sparking a movement that’s helping organizations move past fear of mistakes and into a more open, adaptive, and human style of leadership. If you lead people—and especially if they’re not like you—this conversation will challenge your assumptions and expand your playbook for growth. Three Key Takeaways: • Safe teams underperform — When everyone thinks alike, innovation stalls. Real growth comes from embracing differences, not avoiding them. • Leadership is about ROI, not DEI checklists — Diverse teams deliver stronger results, but only if leaders know how to harness and manage those differences. • The ALLY framework matters — Ask, Listen, Learn, and then act. This simple model helps leaders navigate generational, cultural, and communication gaps effectively. If Stephanie’s episode got you thinking about the challenges—and opportunities—of leading people who aren’t like you, then you’ll want to dive deeper with Lily Zheng’s episode on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Deconstructed. Both conversations cut through the noise and focus on what really drives results: leaders who can embrace differences, move beyond surface-level DEI checklists, and create teams that thrive. Where Stephanie gives you the ALLY framework to navigate everyday leadership dynamics, Lily brings a data-driven lens to diagnose what’s working and what isn’t inside organizations. Listen to both, and you’ll walk away with a sharper playbook for leading diverse teams, boosting innovation, and turning inclusion into real ROI.

Are you the bottleneck in your own business? Many entrepreneurs wear every hat—CEO, sales, R&D, even accounts receivable—yet still feel stuck. Cary Prejean, founder of Strategic Business Advisors and author of three books, has spent 40 years helping business owners shift from operator to visionary leader. In this episode, we explore why entrepreneurs don’t need to become great managers—and why trying to do so can hold them back. Instead, Cary shows how to build processes that keep the business running without you, freeing you to focus on vision, growth, and impact. We break down the opposite skill sets of entrepreneurs and managers—why one thrives on vision, speed, and risk, while the other thrives on stability, patience, and process. Cary explains how to use the language of leadership to engage your team, enroll them in your mission, and empower them to take ownership. It’s about letting go without losing control, and creating repeatable, scalable systems that make you irrelevant to daily operations—in the best possible way. Cary shares practical ways to get the attention of distracted, fast-moving entrepreneurs, starting with the right questions. He reveals how to uncover hidden bottlenecks, fix chronic operational headaches, and stop training your team to rely on you for every decision. We also discuss the parallels between leading people and prompting AI—clear direction, desired outcomes, and the freedom to innovate. From his roots in accounting to his evolution as a leadership advisor, Cary’s journey offers a blueprint for sustainable growth. We talk about his upcoming books—one on common business-killing mistakes, and another on the lost art of relating—and how improving communication can transform not only your business but your relationships. If your business can’t run without you for more than a day, this conversation could be your turning point. Three Key Takeaways: • Entrepreneurs shouldn’t try to become great managers — The skill sets are fundamentally different. Instead of forcing yourself into a management mold, focus on evolving into a visionary leader who sets direction, inspires others, and empowers the team to execute. • Build processes that run the business without you — Repeatable, scalable systems free you from daily firefighting. When your team owns the process and delivers consistent results, you can step away from the weeds and focus on growth and innovation. • Empower and engage your team through clear vision and communication — Enroll employees in your mission, give them ownership of solutions, and resist micromanaging. Leadership is about prompting for outcomes, not dictating every step—just like using AI effectively. If Cary’s episode got you thinking about how to stop being the bottleneck in your own business, Jonathan Raveh’s conversation is your perfect next step. Both episodes tackle the same core challenge—how to move from doing it all yourself to building systems and empowering others. Cary shows you how to evolve from operator to visionary leader, while Jonathan dives deep into scaling thought leadership so your ideas can live and grow beyond you. Listen to Jonathan’s episode to see how you can turn your vision into a shared organizational capability, equip your team to contribute their voices, and create thought leadership that scales—without burning you out. Pair these two episodes and you’ll have a roadmap for scaling both your business and your ideas.

What if your next career move wasn’t about climbing the ladder—but making real progress toward a life of purpose? In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, host Peter Winick sits down with Michael Horn—author, speaker, and co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation —to explore how thought leadership can transform education, careers, and the way we make big life decisions. Michael has spent decades applying the "Jobs to Be Done" framework—originally developed by Clayton Christensen—to help individuals and organizations rethink their goals. He’s worked alongside entrepreneurs, university presidents, and innovators who are reshaping the future of learning and work. His latest book, "Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career", takes this powerful research and makes it personal—helping people make smarter, more fulfilling choices. We dig into how ideas evolve beyond their original intent. Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation started with disk drives, yet found its way into steel mills, education, and now career design. Michael shares how “Jobs to Be Done” is following a similar path, expanding from product design into deeply human territory—helping people identify the real motivations driving their decisions. We also tackle the big shifts in higher education. From universities facing demographic cliffs to the innovators thriving in the post-COVID landscape, Michael offers an unflinching look at what it takes for institutions to adapt—or be left behind. His insights bridge the gap between theory and practice, showing how thought leadership can both diagnose challenges and drive measurable change. This conversation is a masterclass in taking a proven idea, reimagining its applications, and building influence by serving a market that’s ready for transformation. Whether you’re leading an organization, shaping public policy, or charting your own next move, Michael’s approach offers a blueprint for progress. Three Key Takeaways: • Decades of consulting experience can be distilled into a compelling book that captures proven strategies, lessons learned, and actionable insights for a targeted audience. • Translating expertise into thought leadership requires transforming complex, insider knowledge into clear, engaging narratives that resonate beyond your immediate industry. • A well-crafted book serves as a strategic asset, building credibility, expanding reach, and opening doors to new opportunities and revenue streams. If you enjoyed hearing Michael Horn unpack how big ideas like Jobs to Be Done can move from theory into real-world impact, you’ll want to keep the momentum going with Liz Wiseman’s episode, Taking Thought Leadership from Page to Practice. Both conversations dive into the art of translating deep expertise into actionable strategies that resonate beyond your immediate circle. Michael explored how to adapt proven frameworks to education, careers, and personal decisions. Liz builds on that by showing how to make your thought leadership stick—turning insights into tangible change within organizations. By listening to both episodes, you’ll gain a powerful one-two punch: Michael’s perspective on expanding the reach of great ideas, and Liz’s blueprint for ensuring those ideas drive real, measurable results. Together, they’ll give you fresh tools to move your own thought leadership from inspiration to implementation.

What happens when world-class research escapes the ivory tower and takes root in the boardroom In this episode of Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Christopher Marquis — Professor of Chinese Management at the University of Cambridge and author of "Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs" — to explore the art of turning academic insight into practical, high-impact business thinking. Chris is on a mission to bridge the gap between scholarship and the real world. He believes that ideas shouldn’t be trapped in academic journals read by only a handful of peers. Instead, they should spark change in boardrooms, inspire sustainable business practices, and help leaders tackle global challenges like climate change. His work blends rigorous research with compelling storytelling, translating complex theories into actionable strategies that resonate with executives, policymakers, and entrepreneurs alike. From op-eds in The Washington Post to features in Harvard Business Review, Chris knows how to make ideas travel. He shares how brevity, boldness, and a clear thesis can elevate a message — and why writing 800 words for a newspaper can sometimes have more impact than publishing in the most prestigious academic journal. For Chris, thought leadership is about reach and relevance, not just citations and tenure points. The conversation dives into the discipline of choosing which ideas deserve a book, the craft of finding evergreen principles that survive political and economic cycles, and the skill of meeting business leaders where they are — without losing academic rigor. Chris also offers practical advice for academics ready to step beyond their university walls, connect with executive audiences, and position their work at the intersection of insight and impact. If you want to understand how to turn deep expertise into broad influence — without watering it down — this episode will show you how. Three Key Takeaways: • Academic credibility needs business reach — Groundbreaking research has little impact if it stays locked in academic journals. Translating ideas into accessible formats like op-eds, HBR articles, and books makes them actionable for business leaders. • Evergreen principles drive lasting influence — Successful thought leadership balances timeless core ideas (like sustainability imperatives) with timely examples that connect to current cultural, political, or economic contexts. • Storytelling bridges the gap — Data and theory matter, but real-world stories, case studies, and clear narratives are what resonate with executive audiences and create lasting engagement. If you enjoyed Christopher’s episode, don’t miss our conversation with Mark Smith, who built SHRM’s thought leadership function from the ground up. Both share a passion for taking complex research and turning it into clear, actionable insights that reach the right audiences. Chris brings the global lens of sustainability; Mark offers the inside view of embedding thought leadership within an organization. Together, these episodes show you how to move ideas from theory to real-world influence. Listen here: Discovering Thought Leadership – Mark Smith

What if your team—not just your leaders—held the key to breakthrough performance? Today, Peter Winick sits down with long-time friend and bestselling author Keith Ferrazzi to explore why “leadership” alone isn’t enough anymore. Keith’s new work, "Never Lead Alone", moves beyond the individual and puts the spotlight on "teamship"—a powerful, often-overlooked force in organizational transformation. Keith shares how he’s evolved from "Never Eat Alone"—a  networking classic—into building high-performing teams inside Fortune 500 companies. But this isn’t just about motivation. It’s about methodology. Codified insights. Research-backed models. Keith reveals how he helps leaders double market cap by engineering behavior change at the team level, not just at the top. You’ll learn why methodology beats storytelling, why  collaboration is the new leadership, and how research—done with clients—can be both a content engine and a revenue stream. Keith also outlines how aspiring thought leaders can start by defining ten transformational takeaways, then refine and test them before writing a word. This episode isn’t just for authors or coaches. It’s for anyone serious about scaling their thought leadership into real impact. Whether you're inside a $200B company or building your brand, Keith shows you how to package your ideas to create change—and monetize it. Three Key Takeaways: • Teamship Over Leadership Keith introduces the concept of teamship—a shift from individual leadership to empowering entire teams to take ownership of outcomes. He argues that in today’s complex environments, real transformation happens when everyone on the team steps up, not just the person at the top. • Codify Your Methodology Keith stresses that great thought leadership isn’t just about storytelling—it’s about creating repeatable, scalable systems. He encourages aspiring thought leaders to start by defining ten transformational takeaways and building their intellectual property around those core ideas. • Use Research as a Revenue Engine Rather than treating research as a cost center, Keith explains how he partners with organizations to co-create studies that drive both insight and income. This approach not only funds his work but creates built-in audiences and credibility before a book or product even launches. If Keith Ferrazzi’s insights on teamship and codifying leadership resonated with you, don’t miss our episode with Julie Williamson. Julie takes a deep dive into how aligned communication and leadership strategy can unlock the full potential of your teams—echoing Keith’s core message that transformation isn’t a solo act. Where Keith challenges leaders to move from authority to collaboration, Julie shows you how to create that alignment across teams to drive real results. Listen to both episodes and walk away with a clearer  understanding of how to lead through teams, build scalable methodologies, and create impact across an entire organization. Listen to Julie Williamson’s episode now.

What does it take to transform a mission-driven organization into a high-velocity execution machine? Today, Peter Winick sits down with Suba Vasudevan, COO of Mozilla, to explore how thought leadership drives impact inside and outside the organization. Suba isn’t just talking about brand elevation—she’s focused on aligning thought leadership with Mozilla’s double bottom line: financial success and a healthy internet. You’ll hear how she uses thought leadership to drive strategic clarity, cultural alignment, and real-world execution across a global, mission-focused team. Suba unpacks how leaders can build trust, model transparency, and scale their thinking across a workforce by showing up authentically—whether that’s in a Slack message or on a podcast. From AI adoption to KPIs, Suba makes it clear: thought leadership isn’t optional for modern executives—it’s core to leading transformation. She offers a candid look at how leaders should use their voice—not just for visibility, but as a catalyst for cultural change, employee productivity, and long-term innovation. Suba’s message is simple and powerful: If you’re not investing in thought leadership, you’re holding your team back. Three Key Takeaways: • Thought Leadership Is a Leadership Imperative Suba emphasizes that thought leadership isn’t optional—it’s foundational to effective leadership in today’s world. It’s how leaders align teams, build trust, and scale their vision across an organization. She views it as table stakes for anyone serious about transformation. • Execution and Culture Must Be Intertwined Driving results at Mozilla means more than setting KPIs. Suba connects culture to execution, highlighting that metrics only matter when they’re backed by employee belief, buy-in, and shared values. Thought leadership is her tool to bridge that gap. • AI Is a Culture Shift, Not Just a Tech Shift Suba doesn’t just endorse using AI—she models it. By openly using tools like ChatGPT and encouraging her team to do the same, she’s shaping a culture of innovation, experimentation, and productivity. Her approach shows how leadership can normalize and accelerate change from the top. If you found Suba Vasudevan’s episode valuable—especially her take on aligning leadership, culture, and execution—then you won’t want to miss our conversation with Harry Kraemer on Value-Based Thought Leadership. Like Suba, Harry emphasizes the power of authenticity, clarity, and consistency in leadership. He explores how values-driven decision-making builds trust, scales alignment, and creates long-term impact inside complex organizations. While Suba applies these principles to tech and innovation, Harry brings a timeless leadership lens from his experience as a CEO and professor at Kellogg.

What if the game of Whac-A-Mole perfectly described your leadership challenges? Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein think it does. These two veteran consultants have spent over four decades tackling recurring, high-stakes issues inside organizations—and they’ve captured those lessons in their book "Leadership Whack-A-Mole: Actionable Strategies to Leadership Challenges". Today's episode, Ric and Jeff join Peter to explore how they've turned decades of shared experience into a practical, real-world guide for leaders. They break down the leadership issues that keep popping up across industries—and how to stop reacting and start leading with intent. You’ll hear how they co-authored the book using a creative “client and consultant” back-and-forth format, bringing both the problem and the solution to life. They explain why holistic thinking and real-world examples matter more than trendy buzzwords, and how their book is designed as a field manual—not theory—for leaders at all levels. Ric and Jeff also speak candidly about what it’s like to move from writing to marketing—especially when you’re more comfortable solving problems than promoting your own work. Their insights are honest, valuable, and relevant for any thought leader looking to get their ideas into the hands of decision-makers. If you’ve ever felt like you're playing Whack-A-Mole in your business, this episode offers the clarity—and calm—you need. Three Key Takeaways: • Leadership Challenges Are Recurring—But Solvable Many leaders face the same issues over and over, much like a game of Whack-A-Mole. Ric and Jeff highlight that these aren’t random events—they're symptoms of deeper systemic issues. Their book offers a practical, experience-based approach to diagnosing and solving those patterns. • Thought Leadership Can Be Built from Shared Experience Rather than theory or research alone, their content comes from decades of real-world consulting work. By using a client-consultant format, they deliver insight from both sides of the leadership equation, making their ideas accessible and actionable for readers. • Marketing a Book Requires a Mindset Shift Writing the book was only half the battle. Ric and Jeff learned that promoting thought leadership requires stepping into new roles—connecting with networks, refining their message, and overcoming the reluctance to "sell." Believing deeply in their content helped them get comfortable with promotion. If you enjoyed our conversation with Ric Shriver and Jeff Fierstein on turning decades of consulting experience into practical thought leadership, you won’t want to miss this episode: Advice for Marketing, Messaging, and Publishing Books with Aurora Winter. Just like Ric and Jeff, the Aurora dove into the real-world challenges authors and thought leaders face—not just in writing the book, but in getting it into the right hands. You’ll hear candid advice on crafting compelling messaging, navigating the business side of publishing, and building visibility through smart marketing. Both episodes highlight a critical truth: writing a great book is just the beginning. Whether you're an author, consultant, or executive with ideas to share, this conversation will help you move from manuscript to market with clarity and confidence.

What if you could lead organizational change the same way revolutions overthrow regimes? Today on Leveraging Thought Leadership, Peter Winick sits down with Greg Satell—co-founder of ChangeOS, bestselling author of "Cascades: How to Create a Movement That Drives Transformational Change", and one of the world’s top experts on transformational change. Greg doesn’t just talk about change—he’s lived through it, from leading media organizations during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine to building practical frameworks used by today’s largest corporations. Greg shares why traditional change management often fails and how organizations can instead harness the power of movements. Drawing from real-world revolutions and network science, he explains why resistance is predictable, why change requires collective action, and how to create sustainable, culture-driven transformation that sticks. He also breaks down the tools and models behind his work—like the Resistance Inventory and Cultural Trigger Mapping—and why building evangelists inside your organization is critical to long-term success. If your team is struggling with change fatigue, inertia, or lack of alignment, Greg’s insights offer a radically different way forward. This episode is packed with sharp, actionable frameworks for CEOs, CHROs, transformation leaders, and fellow thought leaders alike. If you're looking to drive change that actually lasts—this conversation is a must-listen. Three Key Takeaways: • Change is a people problem, not just a strategy problem. Successful transformation requires shifting beliefs and behaviors—not just processes or structures. • Resistance is predictable—and manageable. Most change initiatives fail because they don’t identify or plan for resistance. A resistance inventory helps leaders anticipate and navigate pushback. • Lasting change spreads like a movement. True transformation requires internal evangelists who influence their networks, making the change sustainable beyond any one leader or initiative. If Greg’s episode sparked your interest in how movements drive lasting change, you’ll want to explore our conversation with Urvashi Bhatnagar on Implementing Niche Solutions at Scale. Both episodes dive into the challenge of turning big ideas into sustainable results—whether it’s building cultural momentum for transformation or scaling specialized solutions across complex organizations. Urvashi’s insights on aligning niche innovations with organizational structures complement Greg’s frameworks for overcoming resistance and creating internal evangelists. Together, these episodes offer a powerful blueprint for leaders who need to drive change that sticks and scales.