Want to Boost Your CEO’s Executive Thought Leadership? Start Having These Conversations

You never know how one conversation might change the course of your life or career.

When I first moved to Vancouver from a small town, I would often get asked: “you’re not from here, are you?” 

It happened in elevators, when I would strike up conversation or at stores when I would ask a clerk how their day was going. Friendly, non-transactional interactions like these were part of the daily culture where I grew up. 

Having lived in a larger city for more than half my life now, I’ve adapted to quiet elevators and not always saying “hello,” when someone walks by.

But, one thing I haven’t changed is the practice of engaging with people, with no other motive than to purely connect.

Throughout my career I’ve sat in rooms with recovering addicts experiencing homelessness as well as world leaders like Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama. I’ve been equally inspired by all. 

Non-transactional conversations—those without an immediate goal—are rare in today’s overpopulated world, but I believe they are essential and can be a powerful tool when it comes to CEO thought leadership and executive brand building.

For CEOs, they can help build trust, create lasting relationships and strengthen thought leadership and personal branding. Here’s why:

The Surprising Power of Genuine Connections in Elevating Your CEO’s Personal Brand

At networking events or meetings, there’s often pressure to quickly assess what someone can offer. While transactional interactions may bring short-term benefits, often they lack the depth needed for meaningful, lasting relationships—the core of executive thought leadership.

CEOs who engage in non-transactional conversations show genuine interest in people, not just their utility. This builds stronger connections over time. Research from the Edelman Trust Barometer shows people trust leaders more when there’s a personal connection, enhancing a CEO’s reputation and helping establish their personal brand​.

A CEO’s Personal Brand Is Defined By Their Actions

There’s a reason startups and Fortune 500s alike invest in executive branding for CEOs and company leaders. It’s because people are interested in other people. We don’t just want to interact with brands that have good products or services, we want to relate to a company’s values and the people who lead them. 

Online, a CEO’s personal branding is curated through social media, thought leadership content, and media appearances. But the strongest CEO brands align with real-world actions. Non-transactional conversations allow CEOs to show their values and authenticity.

Every interaction—whether with an employee or potential partner—enhances CEO branding. It demonstrates that a leader cares about people, not just business. The Brunswick Group Report shows CEOs who engage personally with teams and communities build greater trust and achieve better results​​. Leadership communication is about how a CEO engages with people daily, reinforcing their values beyond the office or boardroom.

Unexpected Conversations Enhance CEO Communication and Growth

If you spend your life seeking out calculated connections based on who might help you directly accelerate a goal, you’ll likely miss out on the people and learning opportunities right in front of you that could have a far-reaching impact. 

Some of the most transformative moments in a CEO’s career can come from unexpected conversations. Whether with a local entrepreneur or an employee, these exchanges can shift perspectives and spark ideas.

Leaders who limit interactions to transactional networking miss out on valuable learning. Engaging in executive thought leadership requires input from diverse sources, available when CEOs step outside their usual circles. These conversations help broaden a leader’s insights, strengthening their reputation management and encouraging adaptability​​.

It’s not the traditional advice you’d expect from a CEO PR or thought leadership consultant, but engaging in non-transactional conversations can help CEOs and executives learn and grow. This is the cornerstone of building an effective executive thought leadership brand. These genuine connections also build trust, spark innovation, and help humanize a CEO’s brand. Thought leadership is more than content creation; it’s about cultivating relationships and learning from every encounter—whether business-related or not.