Dr. Demetri Arnaoutakis: “Here are 5 things you should do to become a thought leader in your industry”
Thought leaders are often sought after for their expert opinion, whether it’s for an appearance or speaking engagement or new role in a company. These experiences can be lucrative in themselves, but also the relationships you develop can subsequently turn into a new business idea. I always encourage people to accept an opportunity to network because you never know what will come from that meeting.
I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Demetri Arnaoutakis. Dr. Arnaoutakis is a Board Certified surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery, hair transplant procedures and injectables. He is an active member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He frequently travels to attend national conferences to perpetually advance his education and present his research. To date he has authored over 30 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.
Thank you so much for doing this with us Dr. Arnaoutakis! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share your “backstory” with us?
I am a board certified surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery, injectables (like botox and fillers) and hair transplants. However, this did not happen overnight. After I graduated from Columbia University with a degree in biological sciences, I returned to my home state of Florida for medical school at the University of Florida College of Medicine. I also participated in a highly coveted Doris Duke Clinical Research fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital where I focused on head and neck cancer reconstruction. Then, I moved to Dallas where I completed my residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Parkland Memorial Hospital, two of the busiest hospitals in the country. Finally, I moved to LA for my facial plastic surgery fellowship at the world renowned Lasky Clinic.
Can you briefly share with our readers why you are an authority about the topic of thought leadership?
15 years of education and training prepare your mind to constantly be in motion. Perhaps more so in medicine than any other field, there are new discoveries and techniques evolving on a frequent basis. I have authored over 30 peer-reviewed medical articles on a variety of topics. It is a passion of mine to contribute to our field and when working alongside other motivated colleagues, I believe it helps us push the envelope forward.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
During my time as a research medical student at Johns Hopkins, I encountered so many interesting cases. However, one story in particular I will never forget. An unfortunate woman lost her left ear from an aggressive form of skin cancer. Yet, the surgeons there were able to create her a new ear by using her own rib cartilage, shaped it to match the other ear, implanted it under forearm skin for about 4 months to grow new skin and then transplanted it using microvascular surgery. It was an incredible story and felt very grateful to be there to witness it all at the time.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the main focus of our interview. In a nutshell, how would you define what a ‘Thought Leader’ is. How is a thought leader different than a typical leader? How is a thought leader different than an influencer?
A ‘thought leader’ is someone who uses his or her prior experiences to help affect change and motivate those surrounding them. A ‘typical leader’ is someone in a position to provide guidance to others, whether they were assigned that role or perhaps chosen by their peers. The difference, in my opinion, is that a ‘thought leader’ is a true expert in their field. With the growth of social media and online marketing platforms, there has been a lot of attention dedicated to ‘influencers.’ These are individuals who often get paid to promote a brand or product. They convince you to buy something, whereas a thought leader is someone who challenges conventional beliefs and inspires you to think.
Can you talk to our readers a bit about the benefits of becoming a thought leader. Why do you think it is worthwhile to invest resources and energy into this?
There is no streamline process to becoming a thought leader. It usually just occurs over the evolution of one’s career during which you are shaped by various experiences and interactions. After decades of education and training, you become prepared to offer insight to those who are interested in following your steps. It is very rewarding to help others achieve their dreams as well.
Let’s talk about business opportunities specifically. Can you share a few examples of how thought leadership can help a business grow or create lucrative opportunities?
Thought leaders are often sought after for their expert opinion, whether it’s for an appearance or speaking engagement or new role in a company. These experiences can be lucrative in themselves, but also the relationships you develop can subsequently turn into a new business idea. I always encourage people to accept an opportunity to network because you never know what will come from that meeting.
Ok. Now that we have that behind us, we’d love to hear your thoughts about how to eventually become a thought leader. Can you share 5 strategies that a person should implement to become known as a thought leader in their industry. Please tell us a story or example (ideally from your own experience) for each.
- Educate — The backbone of your career should always be a strong education. This will prepare you with the knowledge that is necessary to become an expert.
- Teach — A way to show if you truly have mastered a topic is how well you can teach what you know to others. I discovered this once I learned the steps of surgeries and how well I was able to demonstrate this to young medical students.
- Adapt — We should always anticipate our fields to change. In medicine, there is a constant evolution of new drugs, surgical techniques and innovative technology. It is imperative to be willing to adapt your old ways with new ideas.
- Discover — Become someone who discovers something! This will help show you not only understand the basics but are truly an expert if you can help push your field with a new concept.
- Promote — Finally, use your platform to spread the word. If no one knows about the fantastic ideas you have, then what is the point? It is imperative to connect and network in order to share your concepts and discoveries.
What advice would you give to other leaders to thrive and avoid burnout?
Don’t forget about your personal life! Sometimes we can get too caught in our work lives, we neglect family, friends and hobbies. I make sure to reserve at least an hour a day to exercise. The time I spend working out actually helps clear my mind and allow me to refresh myself. I also feel blessed to come from a wonderful family- both my older brothers are also surgeons and experts in their field.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My stepfather was a very successful hospital CEO during his career. He always stressed to me the ‘5 P’s’ — Proper Planning Prevent Poor Performance. This is so true and something I have always tried to work off of.
We are blessed that very prominent leaders in business and entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world with whom you would like to have a lunch or breakfast with? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
I think Dr. Sanjay Gupta has done a wonderful jop as the chief medical correspondent for CNN. He has used his platform to shed light on so many medical topics that are critical to our communities and nation.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Visit my instagram @DrDemetri
OR
facebook page: www.facebook/com/DrDemetriMD
Dr. Demetri Arnaoutakis: “Here are 5 things you should do to become a thought leader in your… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.