In the digital age influence knows no bounds. Leaders who embrace new and innovative strategies can connect with their teams and build trust in ways that were never before possible.

Here are five unexpected ways leaders can have more influence:

1. Write a book. The process of writing a book forces you to think critically about your beliefs and develop a crystal-clear vision of what you stand for. Additionally writing a book is an excellent way to connect with peers in your industry communicate company culture and even make a career pivot. And of course a well-written book can help you establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.
2. Speak at industry events. Stepping onto the stage and sharing your insights with a live audience is a great way to expand your influence beyond the conference room. Leaders who develop their public speaking skills become more effective communicators and are better able to inspire their teams.
3. Start a podcast. Podcasting is a powerful way to connect with people on a deeper level. By sharing your experiences and insights in long-form conversations you can build trust and rapport with your audience. And since podcasts can be listened to anywhere you can reach people while they're on the go at the gym or even cooking dinner.
4. Go live on Instagram. Instagram Live is a great way to interact with your audience in real time. You can use Live to host Q&A sessions give behind-the-scenes tours or simply connect with your followers on a personal level.
5. Build a TikTok brand. TikTok is a popular platform for sharing short engaging videos. While it may seem like an unlikely platform for leaders TikTok can be a great way to share your leadership wisdom in a fun and digestible way. By creating short inspiring videos you can connect with a new audience and build a personal brand as a leader.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that leaders can use digital platforms to expand their influence and build trust with their teams. By embracing new and innovative strategies leaders can trailblaze into the future and create a more connected and engaged workplace.

here are some additional thoughts on the topic of leaders using digital platforms and other innovative strategies to expand their influence and build trust with their teams:

1. Use social media to share your story and connect with your team on a personal level. Post about your experiences both inside and outside of work and encourage your team members to do the same. This will help you to build rapport and create a more human connection with your team.
2. Use video conferencing to connect with your team members face-to-face even if they are remote. This will help you to maintain a personal connection and build trust despite the distance.
3. Use gamification to motivate and engage your team members. Gamification is the use of game-design elements in non-game contexts. For example you could create a leaderboard to track team progress or award badges for completing tasks.
4. Use employee recognition software to show your team members that you appreciate their hard work. Employee recognition software allows you to send personalized messages of appreciation give public recognition and award rewards.
5. Create a culture of feedback and continuous improvement. Encourage your team members to give feedback to each other and to you. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve as a leader and as a team.

By using digital platforms and other innovative strategies leaders can expand their influence and build trust with their teams. This can lead to a more engaged and productive workforce as well as a more positive and supportive work environment.

Here are some specific examples of how leaders are using digital platforms and other innovative strategies to expand their influence and build trust with their teams:

1. CEO of Netflix Reed Hastings uses his blog to share his thoughts on leadership and business strategy. This helps him to connect with his employees and other stakeholders on a personal level and it also positions him as a thought leader in the industry.
2. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff is active on Twitter where he shares his thoughts on a variety of topics including business leadership and social justice. He also uses Twitter to connect with his customers and employees.
3. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has embraced a new style of leadership based on empathy and humility. He has also made diversity and inclusion a top priority at Microsoft. These changes have helped him to build trust with his employees and other stakeholders.
4. Google CEO Sundar Pichai is known for his inclusive leadership style. He regularly solicits feedback from his employees and encourages them to share their ideas. He also makes a point of meeting with employees from all levels of the company.
5. Apple CEO Tim Cook is known for his focus on secrecy and his attention to detail. He also has a strong track record of innovation. These qualities have helped him to build trust with his employees and other stakeholders.

These are just a few examples of how leaders are using digital platforms and other innovative strategies to expand their influence and build trust with their teams. By following their lead other leaders can create a more connected and engaged workplace.