The Rise of the Research-Based Thought Leader.

 Knowledge has become one of the most coveted professional assets in today's knowledge economy. The institutions, organizations, and professions are continually looking for individuals who possess the ability to bring evidenced-based perspectives and innovative solutions to the fore. The transformation of research in this aspect is having a greater influence and more respect in worlds outside academia-than one may imagine.

For many years dissertations were understood to be a mere academic exercise that was ultimately discarded once it was completed; to complete a dissertation was to satisfy one's degree requirements. Now, research has begun to serve a new and emerging purpose as a powerful tool for establishing authority, building recognition, and becoming known professionally.

Each dissertation is a product of years of intensive study, dedication to an issue, research, and analytical skill. These traits are not only recognized within academic institutions, but are now highly valued in the worlds of business, health care, education, leadership, technology, and public policy.

The one development in recent years with which we are probably most familiar, and one that seems to impact us all, has been the advent of the internet. Researchers have direct access to global audiences through publishing web sites, social networks, webcasts, podcasts, and professional communities. Knowledge is no longer isolated to the university or research institution; it has gone public.

This new ability to transmit knowledge has been directly responsible for the emergence of the research-based thought leader, a professional who regularly publishes their insights publicly and subsequently gains the status of expert in their field. Researchers that actively and widely share their discoveries beyond the walls of the academy often establish respect and authority within the professional world, and it goes beyond what any degree alone could confer.

One further recent development is the concept of personal branding. Experts that do not have their discoveries recognized do not ultimately gain stature beyond their internal circle; an effective way for researchers to build public authority and gain an audience has been through establishing an online presence in which they regularly disseminate information, thereby fostering attention to their work as consultants, authors, speakers and media guests.

It should also be mentioned, however, that it will do little for the researcher if their audience can not understand what they are communicating. While a dissertation must satisfy a peer review committee, a public audience requires simple, easily consumable information that demonstrates relevance and usefulness. Researchers that have honed the ability to present their findings in this way are highly likely to make a broader impact beyond the academy.

The point I wish to make is that it is not just the discovery itself but how it is used that matters in most situations today. Whether it informs policy, provides the blueprint for new organizational systems or a new form of technology, aids in the understanding of human nature, or facilitates leadership effectiveness, research needs to solve a problem.

The practice of academia is, and rapidly continues to be, changing; researchers are moving out of the university to become not only educators but consultants, web content creators, public policymakers, and industry experts and leaders. Your dissertation is thus no longer solely an academic endeavor but the first step toward your career as a knowledgeable influencer on a global stage.

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