It seems obvious but one the main criteria for being a thought leader is thinking.

If you've followed technology and online marketing, you may think of Chris Brogan when you think of a thought leader.

Some people think of the outrageous Gary Vaynerchuk when they think of a thought leader.

Being a thought leader is now a full time job.

The one thing all thought leaders have in common is that they think differently. They ask better questions and then try to answer them.

When I want a new perspective on a subject I use "The Bentham Technique" named after the founder of Utilitarian Ethics, Jeremy Bentham.

Bentham's philosophy can be summed as

"It is the greatest happiness of the greatest number that is the measure of right and wrong"

or as I summarize it:

"If everyone did what I"m doing right now, what would happen?"

If you want to know how somethings going to turn out start thinking about the consequences of everyone doing it.

What will that look like?

What problems will it bring?

What opportunities will it bring?

You can read the whole blog post at http://www.platformgiant.com/be-a-thought-leader/