Richard Kaufman Of Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast: 5 Things You Should Do To Become a Thought Leader In Your Industry
An Interview With Abe Alon
Be willing to change when I first started podcasting I did audio only but now I do video too.
As part of our series about how to become known as a thought leader in your industry, I had the pleasure of interviewing Richard Kaufman.
Richard Kaufman Host and Producer of The Top 100 #1 VETprenuer and First Responder Resiliency Podcast Vertical Momentum.
Experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry. Skilled in Management, Coaching, Sales, Direct Sales, and Inventory Management. Strong sales professional with a Sports nutrition focused in Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services from Stratford career institute. I have worked with members of the WWE MMA AND FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD.
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?
I served in the US ARMY for over 23 years. Where I learned how to be a leader of men. After I lost my vision in 2019 I started a podcast, wrote a book and became a public speaker. I’ve taken a deep dive into mindset and leadership. Interviewing some of the top minds in the world today.
Can you briefly share with our readers why you are an authority about the topic of thought leadership? I had to re imagine my life and took a deep dive into mindset studying over 2000 hours on mindset and leadership and where our thoughts bring us.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career? I got thrown out of the Army the FIRST time then got back in and was due to be thrown out again at the end of September 2001 but 9/11 changed my life. I then became Soldier of the year became an Non Commissioned Officer and retired with over twenty years.
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?
When I first started managing a million dollar store I was doing my order an instead of order 10 boxes of chocolates bars I ordered 120 bottles of chocolate protein. Lesson learned? Double check everything.
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 that will think FIRST then take massive action once they figure out ALL of the contingency plans. A typical leader will react first then figure everything out later. A thought leader can make generational changes an influencer usually doesn’t have a very long shelf life.
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?
A thought leader can solve problems that others usually can’t. It’s definitely worth while to invest in yourself and your mindset. Sometimes you might have to go back to the early 1900s and study the likes of Carnegie and Hill.
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?
You have to become like water like Bruce Lee said thinkers can become very playable and more able to adapt. When you can use intense focus you can literally change something over night.
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?
- Be teachable I had to learn technology lol I’m a low tech redneck.
- Be humble I had to ask for help by the leaders in the podcast industry like John Lee Dumas.
- Be willing to change when I first started podcasting I did audio only but now I do video too.
- Get comfortable being uncomfortable I had to learn how to reach out to thought leaders way above my head.
- Learn to enjoy the process. If your not having fun it’s not worth doing.
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?
Definitely Napoleon Hill and how he learned what the mind is capable of. If you can control your mind you can control your mind,body and future.
I have seen some discussion that the term “thought leader” is trite, overused, and should be avoided. What is your feeling about this?
I believe we should not call ourselves though leaders or influencers let others do that.
What advice would you give to other leaders to thrive and avoid burnout?
Remember your WHY because once you know your why you will not quit.
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. :-)
TODAY I DECIDE the three most important words in the English language.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Things happen FOR you and not TO you EVERYTHING is a teachable moment. It turned my mess into my MESSAGE.
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. :-)
Yes Ed Mylett one of my biggest influences and mentor.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
They can just go to their search bar and type in Vertical Momentum Resiliency Podcast.
Thank you so much for your insights. This was very insightful and meaningful.
