Rhea Wessel is an American journalist, author, and educator based in Frankfurt. For many years, she has written reports for well-known media giants such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and the BBC. Through this time, having spoken with thousands of experts in their field, Rhea noticed the difficulty in getting them to figure out what their main idea was, and how to write about it, delivering their unique understanding and knowledge to a much wider audience. So she decided to map out her process so that we can all learn.
She defines thought leadership as “generously giving away your best ideas” to help others solve problems, stressing that the title is earned, not claimed.
Her method for crafting such pieces is summed up in three steps: Find It, Frame It, Flesh It Out. The process means identifying a niche, shaping a clear perspective, and then building it out with context and insight.
Asked why experts should give away knowledge they might normally sell, Wessel argued that openness builds trust and authority: “The client won’t be able to implement it without you anyway.”
She also noted that while AI tools can support research and analysis, they cannot replace authentic experience or voice. “I see myself as a midwife for ideas”, Wessel said, adding that strong thought leadership is not only good for business but also for society.
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