Your ‘Signature POV’ sits squarely in the center of this Foundations framework because it truly is the linchpin to everything we do as expert consultants.

In a crowded market, your experience becomes a commodity and your warm network will run dry…

So, it's your unique perspective, codified into a digestible POV, that becomes your only sustainable path to authority and differentiation.

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About half of this year’s Lightbulbs touch on the importance of a signature POV (sometimes referred to as an ‘intellectual headshot’, or even more generally as your IP), but boiled down to its core:

• The clients you want to serve have a painful problem.
• You have a unique view on that problem based on your experiences.
• That view informs how you discuss and resolve their problem.

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Put so simply, why then do we get stuck trying to nail our signature POV?

Because it’s hard for us to sum up decades of experience into an overarching thesis!

The Lightbulb that seemed to provide the most “a-ha!’s” on this was #175 💡 Anywhere you’re asked for a bio which encouraged you to just complete the sentence:

“My practice is founded on the idea that…”

It may take some iteration, but the way you complete this sentence is, in fact, your signature POV, and will:

• Inspire your content, marketing, messaging, and branding
• Speak directly to your ICP’s urgent pain point
• Build your authority as an expert in the space
• Accelerate client trust and sales conversations
• Provide a bridge between the client’s problem and your solution

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Here are some detailed examples of signature POVs from previous Lightbulbs:

​💡 #190: Former client Ethan Smith​

👓 Signature POV: Return on SEO is predictable and repeatable over time

​💡 #40: Former client Kristina Wyatt​

👓 Signature POV: The benefits of carbon disclosure go far beyond meeting regulations

​💡 #206: Author Kim Scott​

👓 Signature POV: Radically candid feedback is the unlock to effective teams

​💡 #61: Author James Clear​

👓 Signature POV: Building small habits enables high performance

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Notice how these POVs don't necessarily seem earth-shattering on paper.

This should relieve some of the pressure you might be feeling to come up with something over-the-top that will stop the world in its tracks.

Instead, think of your POV as a preview for your clients of the insights that lie underneath, and a teaser of the impactful change they can expect from working with you.

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In sum, all roads lead to and through your POV, so it’s a worthy use of your time to workshop it to your liking.

From there, you may be surprised how the other pieces of your business snap into place.

We’ll continue tomorrow with leveraging your POV into your service design.

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💡

-Wes

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P.S. Think you might need a guide and thought partner with some of this?
​I have a handful of coaching exploration calls left this month to discuss if working together could be a good fit (engagements to start in January.)