Over the past couple of years, I’ve started dipping my toes into the world of executive thought leadership. At first, it felt like just another buzzword. It sounds like another thing everyone said we should be doing, but no one really explained why. But the more I leaned into it, the more I realized it’s not about ego or chasing headlines. It’s about clarity, consistency, and connection.
Here’s what I’ve learned.
People want to hear from people.
It’s easy to get caught up in logos and brand messaging, but what really resonates is a person showing up with something real to say. Whether it’s a founder sharing lessons from a failed launch or a VC talking candidly about diversity in deal flow, the content that gets noticed is the content that feels human. Polished but not sterile. Opinionated but not arrogant.
Media coverage builds credibility—fast.
I’m not saying you need to chase every press hit. But when a founder or exec gets featured in a publication their audience already trusts, it creates instant validation. It’s not just marketing anymore; it’s earned authority. One well-placed quote or byline can open doors that would otherwise take months of ad spend.
Good PR is strategic, not splashy.
What surprised me most is how much strategy goes into effective PR. The best results come from knowing who you’re trying to reach and meeting them where they already are. That means aligning media outreach with business goals, staying ahead of the news cycle, and picking stories that actually matter to your audience, not just to you.
Thought leadership isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room.
It’s about being clear on what you stand for, showing up consistently, and offering real insight, especially when it’s not easy or trendy to do so. That doesn’t require a massive platform or a PR agency on retainer. It just requires intention, a bit of vulnerability, and someone who can help you shape the story.
PR and marketing are way more powerful when they work together.
Marketing can drive awareness, conversions, and growth, and PR gives it staying power. When someone sees your ad and then reads your founder’s take in TechCrunch or hears you on a podcast, it reinforces trust. Thought leadership creates air cover for the rest of your marketing efforts. It’s not about one or the other. When PR and marketing are working toward the same goal, they make each other stronger.
At Kaha Solutions, we work with founders and operators who are quietly doing incredible things. Helping them share their story—whether it’s through a byline, a podcast, or a simple LinkedIn post—has been one of the most rewarding parts of my work. Good PR is about making sure the right people understand the value behind what you’re building.
So if you’ve been thinking about stepping into thought leadership, I say go for it. You don’t have to be “ready.” You just have to start.
If you’re interested in exploring the launch of your thought leadership platform, reach out to us! Email info[at]kahasolutions.co and we can discuss working together with our partner PR agency.
