Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  March 11, 2025

How to Stand Out as a Thought Leader: Lessons from Hollywood

After the highly publicized meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, media coverage was filled with analysis and speculation. With so many voices weighing in, it was difficult for anyone to stand out as a thought leader.

However, Todd Alcott, writing for The Hollywood Reporter, found a way to do so. In his article, ‘Trump and Vance Pulled an Old Hollywood Trick on Zelensky,’ writer Alcott used his Hollywood expertise to offer a fresh perspective—one that we can all learn from.

Alcott didn’t just comment on the politics of the moment. Instead, he leveraged his experience as a screenwriter to uncover a classic Hollywood tactic at play: The Stranger in the Room.

“The Stranger in the Room is anyone in a meeting who is just there ‘as a friend,’ someone who has no creative authority on, and no stake in, the project being discussed, anyone in the room who is a last-minute addition,” Alcott writes.

The Stranger in the Room is there at the request of the most important person in the room, and their sole purpose is to destroy the project.

Alcott’s article is a masterclass in how to stand out as a thought leader. Instead of reacting to the news, he reframed it. And instead of adding to the flood of political opinions, he dissected the power dynamics at play, revealing a hidden but familiar meeting technique. This approach made his piece more engaging, and it broadened its relevance beyond politics.

How to Stand Out as a Thought Leader: A Strategy That Works

Content marketers and thought leaders can use the same strategy as Alcott to make their insights stand out. Here’s why it works:

• Broadens the appeal: By framing the meeting as an example of a Hollywood storytelling technique, Alcott shifted the conversation beyond politics, making his perspective relevant to a wider audience. (Personal note: I will never look at meetings the same way again.) B2B thought leaders can benefit from doing the same.

• Uncovers the hidden: Most political commentary focuses on surface-level facts and fallout. Alcott’s approach exposed the intent behind the situation—something that naturally draws in readers. Content that reveals hidden motivations will always be more compelling.

Every time a major event happens in your industry, countless voices rush to share their opinions. But if you want to stand out as a thought leader, don’t just add to the noise—reveal something deeper. Like Alcott, look beyond the surface to uncover the hidden dynamics at play. Find the unexpected angle, connect it to a larger theme, and make your perspective impossible to ignore.

Now Read This:

• Original Research: Your Edge in Competitive Content Marketing
• Brand and Message Strategy for Thought Leaders

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