2029 - Elevating Your Brand Through Thought Leadership with Rootstock’s Ryan Klee
Elevating Your Brand Through Thought Leadership with Ryan Klee
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In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge speaks with Ryan Klee, co-founder of Rootstock, a thought leadership consulting firm that helps visionary leaders craft and amplify their brand narratives.
Ryan shares expert insights into the art and strategy behind thought leadership—why it matters, how to build it authentically, and how storytelling can powerfully differentiate a business. Whether you're a founder, executive, or subject matter expert, this conversation offers actionable steps to position yourself as a trusted voice in your industry.
From Expertise to Influence: The Thought Leadership Journey
Josh and Ryan open the conversation by highlighting a key distinction: thought leaders don’t just know their stuff—they share it generously. Many business leaders have a wealth of expertise but struggle to communicate it clearly and consistently. That’s where Rootstock steps in.
Ryan explains that Rootstock works with entrepreneurs and organizations to distill their core beliefs and insights into powerful messaging that resonates. The process isn’t about hype—it’s about uncovering authentic stories that attract the right audiences.
The Power of Storytelling in Branding
According to Ryan, storytelling is at the heart of effective thought leadership. He shares how Rootstock helps clients organize their best ideas, articulate their values, and develop a clear “thought leadership position.” This becomes the north star for all branding, marketing, and communication efforts.
Josh and Ryan agree: storytelling isn't reserved for marketers—it’s a leadership skill that helps you build trust, demonstrate authority, and create emotional resonance with your audience.
Best Practices for Building Thought Leadership
Ryan offers several core strategies for cultivating a consistent, credible thought leadership platform:
Consistency Over Intensity – Don’t worry about going viral. Show up regularly with value-driven content.
Quality Over Quantity – It’s better to publish one excellent piece per month than mediocre content weekly.
Authenticity Wins – Your messaging should reflect your actual values, not just marketing language.
He also shares a case study of a conscious architecture firm that struggled to define its brand voice. Through Rootstock’s process—discovery sessions, a messaging framework, and strategic coaching—they built a compelling narrative that transformed how the firm showed up in sales, media, and public speaking.
About Ryan Klee
Ryan Klee is the co-founder of Rootstock, where he helps leaders articulate their vision and build influence through narrative strategy. With a passion for connecting people and ideas, Ryan brings deep experience in content development, branding, and storytelling for impact-driven businesses.
About Rootstock
Rootstock is a thought leadership consulting firm that partners with ambitious leaders and organizations to develop brand narratives that resonate. From messaging strategy to public engagement, Rootstock provides the tools and frameworks needed to scale visibility and build lasting trust through storytelling.
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode Highlights:
Why storytelling is the foundation of impactful thought leadership
The difference between a subject matter expert and a thought leader
How generosity and value-driven content attract clients organically
A case study on transforming a brand through refined messaging
Rootstock’s proven process for developing a clear leadership narrative
Ryan’s message is clear: thought leadership is not self-promotion—it’s service. By sharing meaningful insights and showing up authentically, entrepreneurs can establish authority, build trust, and ultimately drive business growth.
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