Ever wonder what it means to be a thought leader, not just a content creator or influencer, someone recognized for deep ideas and trusted expertise?

In this episode, host Michelle B. Griffin sits down with Ashley Faus, a B2B marketer, writer, speaker, and author of the new book Human-Centered Marketing in the Age of AI, to discuss the term “thought leadership” and what it takes to earn that title.

Ashley unveils her 4 Pillars of Thought Leadership™ framework, a powerful model to help experts build trust, stand out, and drive business results, not fluff. From defining credibility to differentiating thought leadership from subject matter expertise or influence, Ashley makes the ambiguous clear and actionable.

In this episode, we cover:

Why the term “thought leader” makes people cringe
Ashley’s journey: How a singer/marketer created a framework that changed the game
The 4 Pillars: Credibility, Profile, Prolific Output, and Depth of Ideas
Why PR mentions aren’t enough—and what builds trust
The difference between subject matter experts, influencers, and thought leaders
The role of thought leadership in business growth and decision-making
Trust in the age of AI: What marketing can’t automate
How human-centered marketing creates sustainable differentiation
Where AI helps and where it hurts your thought leadership strategy
Tactical ways to build your presence (without posting every day)
Ashley’s top tip to get started: why meaningful LinkedIn comments still win

Whether you’re just getting started or ready to scale your expertise into a trusted brand, this episode unpacks the difference between showing up and standing out. Get ready to deepen your impact, build credibility, and own your thought leadership lane with purpose in your brand.

Own Your Lane® Recognition Roadmap

Ashley’s journey aligns with the four steps of the Own Your L.A.N.E.® Framework:

✨ L: Launch Your Vision – Clarify the deeper purpose behind your message
✨ A: Articulate Your Edge – Define your unique POV in a saturated market
✨ N: Navigate Your Brand – Consistently show up and share meaningful content
✨ E: Elevate Your Authority – Build trust and credibility that earns recognition

🔗 LINKS

• Ashley’s 4 Pillars of Thought Leadership Framework
• Ashley's book,

Ready to Own Your Lane? – The Thought Leadership Branding Podcast

Hosted by keynote speaker, author, and LinkedIn® visibility expert Michelle B. Griffin, this podcast helps professionals grow their influence, visibility, and brand authority for business success.

As founder of Brand Leaders and creator of the Own Your Lane™ Recognition Roadmap, Michelle speaks and trains experts, leaders, and organizations to stand out with thought leadership—on LinkedIn, on stage, and in the media.

🎤 Book a chat with Michelle to discuss speaking or workshops to scale visibility, influence, and business growth. MichelleBGriffin.com/chat

WEBSITE: MichelleBGriffin.com
GET VISIBLE ON LINKEDIN: Free Audio Masterclass
READ: My Personal Branding Books
LISTEN: The LinkedIn Branding Show
CONNECT: With Me on LinkedIn