Last week, there was a minor explosion on my own industry's horizon. Perhaps you saw it. Comedian and professional speaker Nicole Arbour, who is rough as nails but highly entertaining, called out a motivational speaker named Jay Shetty for plagiarism.

Here is a simple list of expert-positioning actions. We are now into the 8th month of this year. Take a look over the list, and next to each item, assign a number corresponding to your own production.

Let’s assume your goal is to become the leading name in stamp-collecting. One of the most powerful ways to achieve that is to write a book on the topic, which helps to position you as an expert. But here is an important caveat: It’s not enough to simply write ‘another look at.’ You can do better.

What’s the most ridiculous thing about your industry? Something you’ve always found slow, silly or senseless? The thing that makes you frown and say, ‘There must be a better way’?

I’ll never forget the day my agent, and now good friend, changed the course of my career. I asked her the question, “What is the most effective thing I can do to elevate my career?” Her unhesitating answer was to write a book, and the impact this insight has made upon my career is inestimable.

A plethora of books explore the importance of trust. Business at the Speed of Trust is just one of the better ones. Historical lecture series on the origins of humanity often point to ‘trust’ as one of the necessary conditions for civilisational advancement.