David Hernandez Of Elecosoft: 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry

An Interview With Abe Alon

Invest the Time: You’ll need to spend significant time mastering your field and staying current on the latest trends and developments. Share your knowledge through in-depth analyses, research papers, and insightful commentary. Say you’re in the field of sustainable architecture. To establish yourself as a thought leader, you might consistently write detailed articles on innovative sustainable building practices, share case studies of successful projects, and provide in-depth analyses of environmental impact assessments. Your commitment to research and ongoing learning earns you recognition as a “go-to expert” on this topic.

As a part of our series about how to become known as a thought leader in your industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing David Hernandez.

David Hernandez is the Head of US/Managing Director for Elecosoft, LLC, a provider of innovative planning and scheduling solutions for the construction industry. For over 15 years, David has been involved in virtually all aspects of the commercial construction industry. From business development to running his own business, he brings diversified experience to his role at Elecosoft.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?

Before joining Elecosoft, I was head of sales at eMOD by BuildSafely LLC, where I helped construction companies digitalize their safety processes, safety plans, and inspections, ensuring that crews would come home safely at the end of their shift. I actually began my construction technology career at Trimble Viewpoint, shortly after leaving a partnership in a commercial construction company in Houston, TX.

I understand the pain created by tremendous company growth without proper processes in place and reliance on poor technology. Removing that pain is what drives me today, and that is what ultimately brought me to Elecosoft. Based in Houston, the company provides solutions that are “built by construction for construction” that revolutionize the way projects are planned, tracked, and delivered.

In the world of project management, efficiency, accuracy, and collaboration are paramount to success. At Elecosoft, I believe I am instrumental in delivering one of the premier technology tools to the construction industry. In doing so, I am helping our customer companies achieve these goals.

Can you briefly share with our readers why you are an authority about the topic of thought leadership?

To me, being a thought leader in any industry means that you are always trying to learn more, do more, influence more people. It’s an ongoing endeavor, a journey where you never actually reach your destination.

I have always strived to do the things that could make someone a thought leader: continuous learning, remaining inquisitive, maintaining a strong focus on my craft, writing articles, and appearing on podcasts are just a few. I did them because they were the right things to do for me to be successful in my business. But in the course of doing them, I accumulated a base of expertise and experience that might lead people to view me as a thought leader in my industry.

The truth is, I never specifically set out to be a thought leader, but I suppose I’ve been able to achieve that status primarily because of an ongoing curiosity that pushes me towards continuous expansion of my knowledge and expertise. I know a great deal about the construction industry, especially when it comes to project scheduling. And my advice has been sought on many occasions by others in the field, including other thought leaders.

But knowing that I don’t know everything pushes me to keep learning, to soak up as much knowledge as my mind can hold. I’ve always maintained the attitude that what I know is important, but it’s not as important as what I am about to learn next.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?

The most interesting story is centered around my first “real” outside sales job. I was paired with a person who was consistently the top producer for the company. We had plans to ride together for a day as part of my training. As we were getting into his car, he turned to me and said, “You cannot get into my car unless I learn something new from you today.” Of course, I was taken aback because I was fresh out of training and this gentleman was a top producer; what was I going to teach him? We completed our ride day, and thankfully, I was able to teach him something new (it was computer-related). That taught me a lifelong lesson: Never feel like you’re too good to learn something from others — regardless of who the person is, and even if the thing you learn is not directly related to your job.

Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?

I have made many mistakes in my career. I don’t know if I can point to one specific instance that was funny, but I can say each mistake helped me grow and taught me that failure is not fatal — as long as you dust yourself off and learn from it. As a direct result of these experiences, I adopted the phrase “fail forward,” some advice I had heard many times before but whose meaning finally clicked in my head. Keep moving forward, and if you fail, fail forward so that you are still progressing. And by doing so, you’ll also prevent yourself from tripping on things behind you!

Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. In a nutshell, how would you define what a ‘Thought Leader’ is? How is a thought leader different from a typical leader? How is a thought leader different from an influencer?

A thought leader is someone who is recognized for their deep expertise, innovative ideas, and valuable insights within a particular industry, domain, or field. They shape conversations, drive discussions, and offer unique perspectives that challenge conventional thinking while inspiring others. They consistently produce high-quality content, sharing their knowledge, and providing solutions to complex problems.

Thought leadership is built on credibility, expertise, and the ability to influence others through well-reasoned viewpoints and original contributions. There are a number of distinctions between a thought leader and a typical leader but there are three major differences:

• Expertise vs. Authority: Thought leaders are primarily recognized for their expertise and knowledge in a specific subject area. Typical leaders might hold positions of authority within organizations but may not necessarily be recognized for their original ideas or insights.
• Influence vs. Command: Thought leaders influence others through their ideas and insights, often without formal authority. Typical leaders may have the power to command or direct due to their position but still may not effectively influence their peers or team members.
• Focus on Ideas vs. Management: Thought leaders focus on sharing innovative ideas and shaping discussions, while typical leaders often focus on managing people, resources, and processes.

Here are the differences between a Thought Leader and an Influencer:

• Expertise vs. Popularity: Thought leaders are known for their expertise and knowledge in a specific domain, whereas influencers are often recognized for their popularity, usually in areas like fashion, lifestyle, or entertainment.
• Depth vs. Breadth: Thought leaders dive deep into a particular subject area, offering detailed insights and analysis. Influencers may have a broader reach and appeal but don’t necessarily possess the same depth of expertise.
• Impact vs. Audience Engagement: Thought leaders aim to have a lasting impact on their industry or field by shaping discussions and driving change. Influencers may focus more on engaging and entertaining their audience.
• Content vs. Personal Brand: Thought leaders are known for the quality of their content and ideas. Influencers tend to focus more on personal brand and lifestyle.

In essence, while thought leaders, typical leaders, and influencers can overlap in some respects, thought leadership is particularly centered around expertise, originality of ideas, and impact on a specific industry or field.

Can you talk to our readers a bit about the benefits of becoming a thought leader? Why do you think it is worthwhile to invest resources and energy into this?

There are numerous benefits to becoming a thought leader, some quantitative some qualitative. The most significant are:

• Credibility and Authority: Thought leaders are recognized as experts in their field, which enhances their credibility and authority. This recognition can open doors to speaking engagement, collaborations, and networking opportunities that might not have been accessible otherwise.
• Influence and Impact: Thought leaders have the power to shape conversations, drive discussions, and influence the direction of their industry or domain. Your insights and ideas can contribute to positive changes, innovations, and solutions.
• Personal Growth: The process of becoming a thought leader requires continuous learning, research, and reflection. This ongoing pursuit of knowledge contributes to your personal growth and development.
• Brand Building: Establishing yourself as a thought leader helps build a strong personal brand. This can lead to increased visibility, recognition, and trust among your target audience.
• Legacy and Contribution: Thought leaders tend to leave a lasting impact on their field, contributing to the growth and advancement of knowledge. Your ideas can become part of the legacy you leave behind.
• Personal Fulfillment: Sharing your expertise and making a positive impact can be deeply fulfilling. It gives you a sense of purpose and the satisfaction of contributing to the betterment of your industry.

Let’s talk about business opportunities specifically. Can you share a few examples of how thought leadership can help a business grow or create lucrative opportunities?

The number of ways in which a business can grow based on the thought leadership position of its owner or C-suite management is almost limitless. This is just a small sampling:

• Consulting and Advisory Services: As a recognized thought leader, your expertise becomes sought after by other businesses and organizations. This can lead to opportunities for offering consulting services, providing strategic advice, and solving industry-specific challenges for clients.
• Speaking Engagements: Thought leaders are invited to speak at conferences, seminars, and industry events. These engagements can generate speaking fees and exposure to potential clients and partners.
• Book Deals and Publications: Publishing a book related to your area of expertise can solidify your status as a thought leader and open up opportunities for book sales, speaking engagements, and media coverage.
• Media Appearances: Thought leaders are featured in newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and on television. These appearances can lead to increased visibility, brand recognition, and potential business inquiries.
• Partnerships and Collaborations: Other businesses may seek partnerships or collaborations with thought leaders to leverage their expertise for mutual benefit. This can range from co-hosting events to co-developing products or services.
• Venture Capital and Investment Opportunities: If your thought leadership is in the technology or startup space, it might lead to opportunities for investment, advisory roles, or partnerships with venture capitalists and angel investors.

Overall, thought leadership can position you and your business at the forefront of your industry, creating a “halo” effect that attracts clients, partnerships, and other rewarding opportunities. Of course, it’s important to align your thought leadership efforts with your business goals and maintain a consistent, authentic presence in your chosen domain.

Ok. Now that we have that behind us, we’d love to hear your thoughts about how to eventually become a thought leader. Can you share 5 strategies that a person should implement to become known as a thought leader in their industry?

Here are five ways to become known as a thought leader in your respective field. One thing to remember: becoming a thought leader is not a “one and done” proposition; it is a process of continuous improvement, constantly increasing your knowledge base and understanding that you will never know everything about a subject — although it’s an admirable goal to pursue.

1. Invest the Time: You’ll need to spend significant time mastering your field and staying current on the latest trends and developments. Share your knowledge through in-depth analyses, research papers, and insightful commentary. Say you’re in the field of sustainable architecture. To establish yourself as a thought leader, you might consistently write detailed articles on innovative sustainable building practices, share case studies of successful projects, and provide in-depth analyses of environmental impact assessments. Your commitment to research and ongoing learning earns you recognition as a “go-to expert” on this topic.
2. Create Consistent Content: Regularly produce valuable, relevant content across all platforms: blogs, social media, videos, and podcasts. Focus on addressing industry challenges, offering solutions, and sharing your unique perspectives. For example, imagine you’re in the digital marketing industry. You create a weekly podcast in which you discuss emerging digital marketing trends, share practical tips for effective online campaigns, and interview influential figures in the industry. Your consistent, insightful content keeps your audience engaged and positions you as a trusted source of expertise in digital marketing.
3. Present Thought-Provoking Ideas: Challenge conventional wisdom by presenting fresh ideas and perspectives that can reshape industry conversations. Be willing to take risks in proposing new approaches and solutions. If you’re in the field of artificial intelligence, you may write an article suggesting a novel approach to explainable AI that combines neural networks with symbolic reasoning. While this idea goes against the prevailing methods, your logical argument and the potential benefits can capture the attention of AI researchers, sparking new dialogue and establishing you as a thought leader in AI ethics.
4. Engage and Collaborate with Others: Participate in discussions, conferences, and industry events. Collaborate with peers, experts, and organizations to broaden your reach and contribute to meaningful conversations. So if you’re in the field of renewable energy, you might actively participate in international conferences on clean energy, where you engage in panel discussions, present your research findings, and connect with policymakers. By collaborating with like-minded experts, you help shape the global dialogue on renewable energy policies and technologies, earning recognition as a major player in the sector.
5. Embrace Mentorship and Education: Share your expertise by mentoring aspiring professionals, offering workshops, and providing educational resources. Helping others learn and grow establishes your authority in the industry. For example, in the field of data science, you develop an online course covering advanced machine learning techniques and real-world applications. Your course attracts professionals seeking to upskill, and your commitment to providing personalized guidance defines your legacy as a thought leader in this area.

In your opinion, who is an example of someone who has done a fantastic job as a thought leader? Which specific things have impressed you about that person? What lessons can we learn from this person’s approach?

Steve Jobs was one of the most influential thought leaders the world has ever seen. There are so many reasons why I believe his status as a thought leader was so impressive.

He certainly had all the prerequisites that I mentioned earlier: expertise, influence, focus, impact, and depth. One could point out that many thought leaders possess these same qualities. However, what set Steve Jobs apart was the level to which he possessed each of these gifts. He wasn’t just an influencer; he influenced the entire electronics industry. He didn’t just develop a great user experience for consumers of his products; he created a model that has been copied in countless other industries. His vision helped him create a brand that not only became a household name; it is arguably one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

Jobs realized that he didn’t know everything (despite the fact that it seemed like he did), and he continued to expand his knowledge right up to his death. What’s more, he relied on the expertise of the people he hired, letting them do whatever job they were hired to do without micromanagement (though he was described as a “tyrant” by many former employees).

But perhaps the most impressive aspect of his thought leadership was that as wealthy as he became, he made it clear it was never about the money for him. He famously said, “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful … that’s what matters to me.”

I have seen some discussion that the term “thought leader” is trite, overused, and should be avoided. What is your feeling about this?

The term “thought leader” has indeed been widely used in recent years, and like any popular buzzword, it can become trite or lose its impact when overused. Some critics argue that the term is sometimes used in a self-promotional manner without necessarily reflecting true expertise or meaningful contributions. However, this doesn’t necessarily negate the concept or importance of thought leadership itself.

The essence of thought leadership lies in the ability to offer valuable insights, innovative ideas, and original perspectives that contribute positively to a particular field or industry. When individuals or entities genuinely embody these qualities, the term “thought leader” accurately describes their impact. It’s more about the substance and authenticity behind the title than the title itself.

If the term feels overused or lacks authenticity in certain contexts, individuals should focus on demonstrating their expertise through their actions, content, and contributions. This approach can help them establish their credibility without relying solely on the “thought leader” label. The key is to focus on making a substantive impact and earning recognition based on the value you provide rather than the label you adopt.

What advice would you give to other leaders to thrive and avoid burnout?

Most leaders know the formula for avoiding burnout and becoming overstressed. The problem is that knowing it and doing it are two different things. It’s likely your readers have heard most or all of these tips before, but I would encourage them to actually put them into practice:

Prioritize Self-Care:

• Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your routine. Prioritize sleep, exercise, healthy eating, and activities that bring you joy.
• Set aside time for relaxation and mindfulness techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or yoga, as well as hobbies unrelated to work.
• Plan and take regular vacations to fully disconnect and recharge.

Delegate and Empower:

• Trust your team and delegate tasks according to each team member’s strengths. Micromanaging can lead to stress and burnout.
• Empower your team by giving them autonomy and ownership over their responsibilities. This not only reduces your workload but also fosters a sense of trust and growth among team members.

Set Boundaries:

• Establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. Avoid checking emails or work-related tasks during off-hours.
• Communicate your boundaries to your team and colleagues to ensure they respect your personal time.

Practice Effective Time Management:

• Prioritize tasks using techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix or the Pomodoro Technique to stay focused on high-impact tasks.
• Avoid multitasking, as it can lead to increased stress and reduced productivity.
• Recognize your limits and avoid overcommitting. Saying no to additional tasks or projects that aren’t aligned with your priorities is crucial to prevent burnout.

Foster a Supportive Work Culture:

• Create an environment in which employees feel comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking support.
• Encourage open communication, empathy, and mutual respect within your team and organization.

Celebrate Wins and Progress:

• Acknowledge and celebrate both small and significant accomplishments. Recognizing your successes can boost morale and motivation.

Continuous Learning and Growth:

• Invest time in personal and professional development. Learning new skills and staying current in your field contributes to a sense of growth.
• Engage in mentorship or coaching relationships to gain insights and guidance from seasoned leaders who have navigated similar challenges.

You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

There is a quote often attributed to Walt Whitman (although it turns out he was not the author, and no one can determine who it was). The quote is, “Be curious, not judgmental.”

I would start a movement that embraces this quote as its mantra. I would encourage everyone to be curious instead of judgmental. Many of us tend to judge people before we know anything about them. Besides being a very negative approach, how can we logically judge anyone without any knowledge of who they are, what they do, and why they do it?

If we were to be curious about people before forming any impressions, it’s likely we would have far different judgments than we would have otherwise. And it’s a safe bet that in the vast majority of cases, our judgments would be positive, which would help diminish conflict and promote a greater sense of harmony.

We’re often afraid of what we don’t know and don’t understand. Relying on curiosity instead of judgment will replace that fear with knowledge, which will translate to more positive relationships. And it’s hard to believe the world wouldn’t be a better place because of it.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

It’s not a quote per se, but the best advice I received was. “Be in control of what you can control.” Do not waste emotional energy worrying about things outside of your control. This approach has allowed me to win back some valuable time in my day.

A bonus quote that I’ve always liked is, “Be intentionally curious” — that is, always be willing to learn from others. Sometimes you need to step outside your comfort zone and ask questions, but it’s important to ask questions with intentional curiosity and active listening.

For me it created a mindset of “you can learn something from anyone.” Don’t get too hung up on people’s titles or stated roles; the lowest-paid employee can have ideas that are as brilliant and insightful as those on the other end of the pay scale. Being intentionally curious takes it a step further. If you ask enough questions, you’re going to learn things. If you exhibit genuine, intentional curiosity, that learning will reach a deeper level — you’ll understand not just what people do but why they do them.

Even if what you learn is not directly related to your industry, your knowledge base will start to grow, and you will become a sought-after source of information — and inspiration — on a variety of subjects.

We are blessed that very prominent leaders in business and entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you would like to have lunch or breakfast? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)

I would have said Steve Jobs, but since he is no longer with us, I would have to say Elon Musk. He brings a mindset that is not only brilliant, but he is also willing to listen and learn from others. I would love to talk to him about scaling and growing a company, as well as positioning people correctly so that you optimize their potential. And, of course, we’d discuss how cool it is to play with rockets as an adult.

How can our readers further follow your work online?

Readers are welcome to visit our website at https://elecosoft.com/. Our company LinkedIn page is https://www.linkedin.com/company/elecosoft/. I also have a personal LinkedIn page at https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-hernandez-4036264b/.

Thank you so much for your insights. This was very insightful and meaningful.

You’re very welcome. Thank you for the opportunity.