---
title: "Thankful Thursday: Leaders that Inspire"
description: "This November, we’re showing our gratitude for the words, industries and people that inspire us and are making a real difference. To give thanks the best way we know how, each #thankfulthursday we’re sharing a different staff round-up. Thought leadership can be a nebulous term. Many business leaders and brands either claim to be or..."
---

[We’re hiring! Explore career opportunities at Red Fan Communications.](https://www.redfancommunications.com/careers/)

[![redfan_logo](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hs-fs/hubfs/redfan_logo.png?width=220&height=92&name=redfan_logo.png "redfan_logo")](http://redfancommunications.com)

[![Red-Fan-Communications-logo](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hs-fs/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Redfancommunications_October2020/images/redfan-logo_on_transparent_background.png?width=2826&height=1181&name=redfan-logo_on_transparent_background.png "Red-Fan-Communications-logo")](http://redfancommunications.com)

- [Contact Us](https://redfancommunications-1.hubspotpagebuilder.net/contact-us)
- [About Us](https://redfancommunications-1.hubspotpagebuilder.net/about-us)
- [Home](https://redfancommunications-1.hubspotpagebuilder.net)

- [work](https://www.redfancommunications.com/work/) 
    - [Our work](https://www.redfancommunications.com/work/)
    - [how we work](https://www.redfancommunications.com/how-we-work/)
    - [Industries](https://www.redfancommunications.com/industries/)
    - [Non-profit work](https://www.redfancommunications.com/non-profit-work/)
    - [testimonials](https://www.redfancommunications.com/work/testimonials/)
- [About](https://www.redfancommunications.com/about/)
- [Team](https://www.redfancommunications.com/team/) 
    - [Our team](https://www.redfancommunications.com/team/)
    - [join our team](https://www.redfancommunications.com/careers/)
- [Services](https://www.redfancommunications.com/services/) 
    - [Executive Consulting](https://www.redfancommunications.com/services/corporate-communications/)
    - [Crisis Planning and Response](https://www.redfancommunications.com/services/crisis-communications/)
    - [IPO & Merger/Funding](https://www.redfancommunications.com/services/vc-program/)
    - [Executive Positioning & Thought Leadership](https://www.redfancommunications.com/services/thought-leadership/)
    - [Brand Positioning and Messaging](https://www.redfancommunications.com/brand-positioning-and-messaging/)
    - [Strategic communication](https://www.redfancommunications.com/content-marketing-strategy/)
- [Resources](https://www.redfancommunications.com/blog/)

This November, we’re showing our gratitude for the words, industries and people that inspire us and are making a real difference. To give thanks the best way we know how, each #thankfulthursday we’re sharing a different staff round-up.

Thought leadership can be a nebulous term. Many business leaders and brands either claim to be or want to be thought leaders. In reality, it takes a special individual with truly unique insights, often contrarian or provocative opinions, and battle scars accrued from years of experience in a particular industry to truly fit the bill of a thought leader. At Red Fan, we’re fortunate enough to work with quite a few of them, and are constantly being inspired by others. We’re thankful for the brains that are making an impact and the ideas that are a guiding force for others. Here are a few of our staff’s favorite thought leaders that we think are making a real difference:

LeRon Barton: Barton is a writer, author and TedX Speaker committed to fighting social justice and advocating for personal authenticity. We love his TedTalk’s “How I Overcame My Fear of Stuttering” and “The Power of Sharing Your Story.”

Jacob Shapiro: As founder and chief geopolitical strategist at Perch Perspectives, Shapiro is a wizard at speaking and writing. Read his insights on the Perch blog, and listen to our most recent webinar with him where he gave us the geopolitical-411 and shared how CEOs need to be considering geopolitics.

Brené Brown: Brown is a research professor, author, podcast host and speaker focusing on courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. Her new “Dare to Lead” podcast is excellent.

Lanham Napier: Napier is a fanatic tech entrepreneur and founder of BuildGroup, an investment company helping leaders build the future of SaaS. In his book, Billion or Bust!, Lanham talks about his 14-year journey as the president and then CEO of Rackspace, taking the company public and the lessons learned along the way.

Jacinda Ardern: A politician and activist, Ardern is the standing prime minister of New Zealand. In her handling of the Christchurch attack, climate change and COVID-19, she represents a powerful and modern woman, and shows us what political leaders should aspire to be.

Rajkumari Neogy: Neogy is an executive coach specializing in epigenetics and the biology of belonging, advising on transgenerational trauma and toxic work cultures. This Fast Company piece is a great read on tactics for business leaders that will assist in repairing work cultures torn apart by blame, lack of accountability, and trauma.

Ai Weiwei: Ai Weiwei is an incredibly brave Chinese artist and filmmaker, and was named the most powerful artist of the year by ArtReview. His recent documentary, “Coronation,” is a portrait of what citizens of Wuhan experienced while in their intensive lockdown. Read more about his work and legacy in this piece by Smithsonian Mag.

Kirk Dando: Dando is a CEO whisperer, and our own CEO loves him. His podcast “For You Leaders” is a top leadership podcast where he gives a behind-the-scenes look at the real and raw of leadership.

Malcolm Gladwell: As the author of five NYT bestselling books, Gladwell has made his mark as a journalist, writer and speaker. He brings an intellectual appreciation for everyday subjects, and aims to share serious psychology with the masses. Clearly, we eat it up.

Share

[Tweet](https://twitter.com/share)

[![submit to reddit](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/4884297/BMIlab_September2018/Images/spreddit7.gif)](https://www.reddit.com/login?dest=https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-leaders-that-inspire)

[![](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hubfs/Redfancommunications_October2020/PinExt.png "Pin It")](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-leaders-that-inspire&media=&description=Thankful%20Thursday:%20Leaders%20that%20Inspire)

[Share on Tumblr](https://tumblr.com/share/link?url=https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-leaders-that-inspire&media=&description=Thankful%20Thursday:%20Leaders%20that%20Inspire)

### EXPLORE THE BLOG

- ["""Culture ambassadors""" (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/culture-ambassadors)
- ["""What if"" scenarios" (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/what-if-scenarios)
- ["AI-driven (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/ai-driven)
- ["Audience's motivations (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/audiences-motivations)
- ["Celebration (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/celebration)
- ["Coherent (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/coherent)
- ["Company's mission (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/companys-mission)
- ["Consistent (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/consistent)
- ["Content generation efforts (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/content-generation-efforts)
- ["Earned editorials (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/earned-editorials)
- ["Identify themes (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/identify-themes)
- ["In-depth (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/in-depth)
- ["Redistribute (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/redistribute)
- ["Reframed (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/reframed)
- ["Right messaging (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/right-messaging)
- ["Tactical (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/tactical)
- ["The CEO Tightrope (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/the-ceo-tightrope)
- ["thoughtful (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/thoughtful)
- ["Tier one reporters (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/tier-one-reporters)
- [2018 Bulldog PR Award winner (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/2018-bulldog-pr-award-winner)
- [A Conversation With (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/a-conversation-with)
- [A-Team (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/a-team)
- [ABC Kite Fest (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/abc-kite-fest)
- [Access to credit for SMEs (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/access-to-credit-for-smes)
- [Accessibility (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/accessibility)
- [Accomplish business objectives (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/accomplish-business-objectives)
- [Account Executive (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/account-executive)
- [Accountability (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/accountability)
- [Acquiring companies and personalities (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/acquiring-companies-and-personalities)
- [Acquisition (5)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/acquisition)
- [adapting business strategy (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/adapting-business-strategy)
- [Address pain points (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/address-pain-points)
- [Adjust performance metrics to clients' preferences (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/adjust-performance-metrics-to-clients-preferences-)
- [Adjust your positioning statement (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/adjust-your-positioning-statement)
- [Advance the conversation (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/advance-the-conversation)
- [Age of experience (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/age-of-experience)
- [agency partner (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/agency-partner)
- [Aggregated unique monthly visitors (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/aggregated-unique-monthly-visitors)
- [agricultural production (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/agricultural-production)
- [Agriculture (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/agriculture)
- [Agritech (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/agritech)
- [Algorithm (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/algorithm)
- [Alicia Downard (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/alicia-downard)
- [Align PR and marketing (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/align-pr-and-marketing)
- [Analyst deck (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/analyst-deck)
- [Analyst relations (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/analyst-relations)
- [Analytics and decision platform built for supply c (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/analytics-and-decision-platform-built-for-supply-c)
- [analytics software (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/analytics-software)
- [Annual awards budget and resources (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/annual-awards-budget-and-resources)
- [Answer common questions (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/answer-common-questions)
- [Antivirus technology for personal devices (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/antivirus-technology-for-personal-devices)
- [Approach (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/approach)
- [Ask tough questions (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/ask-tough-questions)
- [Astroworld (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/astroworld)
- [Attract top talent (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/attract-top-talent)
- [Audience (4)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/audience)
- [audience engagement (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/audience-engagement)
- [audience-based content" (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/audience-based-content)
- [Austin (25)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/austin)
- [Austin Business Journal (ABJ) (20)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/austin-business-journal-abj)
- [Austin community (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/austin-community)
- [austin pr firm (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/austin-pr-firm)
- [Austin-based marketing platform (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/austin-based-marketing-platform)
- [Authentic activism (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/authentic-activism)
- [Authentic brand (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/authentic-brand)
- [Authentic expression of empathy (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/authentic-expression-of-empathy)
- [Authentic industry leaders (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/authentic-industry-leaders)
- [AVE (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/ave)
- [Avoid false ranges (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/avoid-false-ranges)
- [Avoid first-person subjects (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/avoid-first-person-subjects)
- [Avoid product promotion (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/avoid-product-promotion)
- [Award-winning success for our clients (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/award-winning-success-for-our-clients)
- [Award-winning vodka distillery (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/award-winning-vodka-distillery)
- [Awards (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/awards)
- [Awareness of customer expectations (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/awareness-of-customer-expectations)
- [Away Luggage (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/away-luggage)
- [B2B (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/b2b)
- [B2B content strategies (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/b2b-content-strategies)
- [B2B marketers (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/b2b-marketers)
- [Backlinks (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/backlinks)
- [Balance between simplicity and active language (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/balance-between-simplicity-and-active-language)
- [Bank (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/bank)
- [Basic questions (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/basic-questions)
- [Best practices (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/best-practices)
- [Between The Lines (25)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/between-the-lines)
- [Black lives matter movement (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/black-lives-matter-movement)
- [Blind to flaws and imperfections (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/blind-to-flaws-and-imperfections)
- [Blockchain (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/blockchain)
- [Boilerplate (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/boilerplate)
- [brand awareness (3)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-awareness)
- [Brand management (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-management)
- [Brand narrative (31)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-narrative)
- [Brand Positioning (5)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-positioning)
- [Brand reputation (2)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-reputation)
- [Brand stories (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-stories)
- [Brand storyteller (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-storyteller)
- [Brand storytelling (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-storytelling)
- [Brand's mission and purpose (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brands-mission-and-purpose)
- [brand-building (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/brand-building)
- [Bulldog PR Award (1)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/bulldog-pr-award)
- [Dispatch (8)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/dispatch)
- [Forbes (22)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/forbes)
- [From the Desk of Kathleen (6)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/from-the-desk-of-kathleen)
- [News (100)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/news)
- [Pulse (13)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/pulse)
- [Red Fan News (22)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/tag/red-fan-news)

see all topics

### JOIN THE RED FAN COMMUNITY

Get an inside look at our strategic insights, receive exclusive event invitations and establish meaningful connections with other Austin influencers!

[Sign Up Now](https://yb352-afba2e.pages.infusionsoft.net/)

### [PREVIOUS Thankful Thursday: Companies that Inspire](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-companies-that-inspire)

### [NEXT Red Fan’s Interactive 2021 Strategy Workshop](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/red-fans-interactive-2021-strategy-workshop)

## You Also Might Like

## [Thankful Thursday: Words that Inspire](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-words-that-inspire)

## [Thankful Thursday: Companies that Inspire](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-companies-that-inspire)

## [Vindication for the cow: Implementing sustainable technology into the food supply chain](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/vindication-for-the-cow-implementing-sustainable-technology-into-the-food-supply-chain)

[![Untitled design (69)](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(69).png?width=35001&height=10500&name=Untitled%20design%20(69).png "Untitled design (69)")](http://redfancommunications.com)

Headquarters

200 E. 32nd Street,

Austin, Texas 78705

512-551-9253

Locations

Austin, TX

San Diego, California

Asheville, North Carolina

Join Our Newsletter

[![Screenshot 2025-10-02 at 4.01.54 PM](https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hubfs/Screenshot%202025-10-02%20at%204.01.54%20PM.png "Screenshot 2025-10-02 at 4.01.54 PM")](https://info.redfancommunications.com/newsletter-sign-up)

Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram

© 2026 Red Fan Communications. All Rights Reserved.

![](https://px.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=3265041&fmt=gif)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Red Fan Team",
    "url" : "https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/author/red-fan-team"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2023-03-19T12:50:10.662Z",
  "datePublished" : "2020-11-19T00:00:00.000Z",
  "headline" : "Thankful Thursday: Leaders that Inspire",
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.redfancommunications.com/blog/thankful-thursday-leaders-that-inspire",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.redfancommunications.com/hubfs/redfan-logo_on_transparent_background.png"
    },
    "name" : "Red Fan Communications"
  }
}
```