So what are all these "thought leaders" about? Suddenly I see this phrase all over the place, and recently I was asked to speak as a "thought leader" at a conference in California. Is this a new phrase or have I just missed it? How thoughtful do I need to be?

Not sure. I am rather dismayed by the willingness of people to accept being told what to think rather than thinking for themselves.

The other new phrase I've heard at recent conferences is having "fishbowl conversations." In fact, at this conference the "thought leaders" are going to present and then take part in a "fishbowl" conversation. Sometimes I feel as though I am on Mars.

Perhaps as "thought leader" you would represent/champion a particular point of view.

I expect the "fishbowl conversation" would be similar to a "round-table discussion" between you and the other thought leaders, with an audience that observes, but does not participate in the discussion.

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the "fishbowl conversation" would be similar to a "round-table discussion" between you and the other thought leaders, with an audience that observes, but does not participate in the discussion

"Fishbowl conversation" - Now we have a term for those people who talk on their cell phones in public. I often want to drown them!

I just received another email about this fishbowl, thought leader conference. The format is a World Cafe one. When I told the facilitator that I liked the idea of the fishbowl conversations (except that I have to be one of the fishes!), she said, "Of course. It fits in beautifully with our World Cafe concept."

Only in California.

Assuming that the "media" (all of them) are somewhat lemming-like in looking for anything which might grant them a momentary edge....

I daresay that "thought leaders" are people with enough mind of their own - AND a desire for public attention - to say and do things which have not yet occurred to the sheep.

Bob

I just don't see why we have to make up more words and confuse things. On the other hand, I do realize that language evolves, which we talk about quite a lot on this discussion board.

I was recently at a fairly large meeting (circa 100) where we split up into discussion groups of around half a dozen, each sitting round a table. One of our group introduced herself as our 'facilitator' and proceeded to lead the discussion. I assume she could also have called herself a 'thought leader'. The term's a little too close to 'thought police' for my liking.

I will be at the world cafe, thought-leading, bowl of fish conference soon, so I will tell you Arnie. However, my impression is that "thought leaders" are those who have ideas about how to change health care (or whatever the subject is that they are "thought leading"). At least in this conference, they seem to have facilitators, too, and the "thought leaders" are the speakers and the members of the audience.

My thought leader is double-plus good!

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One of our group introduced herself as our 'facilitator' and proceeded to lead the discussion. I assume she could also have called herself a 'thought leader'.

A facilitator (which I am) will facilitate in various ways some of which will need leadership. However, a facilitator who leads all the time will probably not be fully effective.