We are not in China or North Korea... I don't look for thought leadership! I think for myself.

Alexa,

You have to be the judge of that.  Listen to different people, read what they have to say.  Does it resonate with you?  If it does, you will feel the inspiration, and if they don't it does not mean they are uninspiring, it just means they are not your person.  Research for yourself!

     The bloggers on ActiveRain!

My broker. He has 40 years experience in this business and has served locally and on the state level in leadership. So have I. He also has recently served on an ethics hearing panel. 

AR is an excellent place to start!

There isn't just one person.  It really depends on the issue.

Me, my broker and my fellow Rainers

Locally, the person I respected most in thought and integrity passed away last year.  He wasn't a creative thinker but he knew the business... I mean really knew the answers to any question I could pose.    Otherwise, I find AR the most comprehensive resource of in-the-trenches real estate thinking.  

Broker.

Before Active Rain, i really did not have anyone. Easy for me now to say on AR it is Barbara Todaro 

Many people here at Active Rain.  No real estat guru on a national level.  Some individuals here in Dallas that you would probably not know.

Quite a few - too many to actually list however

There are many outstanding people in the industry. I would turn to highly successful agents for their ideas.

Who do you respect in the industry?

There are two categories I must consider. Those who have made a success within a rigged and punitive system and those who are a apart from the sea of smiley faces.  The former group are those who have left the direct participation of buying buying and selling of real estate and now selling systems to real estate agents. We know who these leaders are. The owner of Active Rain would be one of them.

Those who are 'apart from' are those whose focus is profit as opposed to working for tips. From these one can glean meaningful insight that will influence how they structure and pursue their business.

Thought leadership is the dominion of the courageous and the visionary. Thought leadership is owned by those who are not quick change artists proficient at changing suites for the sole purpose of a fresh presentation.

These are few and often compelled to exist in the fresh air outside of the real estate machine. They are ahead of their time.  Today, things move so fast that ahead becomes behind in five years. 90 percent of the time, such leaders can only be recognized as the result of possessing the skill to ask meaningful and probing questions. The teacher arrives when the student is ready. Most real estate agents are unteachable, can not ask a probing question, therefore unable to identify a thought leader. For thought leaders, I look for participants at Burning Man.

For most, a thought leader is someone who tunes up an existing model. I would not call one whose work is overwhelmingly derived, a thought leader.

Gary Keller, Stefan Swanepoel is by all means a thought leader. 

Fred Griffin nailed this one!

I respect everyone, as for leadership support I have my broker and my RE community. 

I turn to myself.  Common courtesy. Common sense. Self Respect and Dignity. 

Many of the people I know and read here on Activerain. Joe Pryor mentioned Stephan Swanepoel and he's on my list, too. It really depends on you and what you get inspired by.

I think Elizabeth Mendenhall who is President-Elect of NAR is brilliant. Stefan Swanepoel is by all means a thought leader. I like to read 1000 Watt Consulting on what they know from a practical usage.

I have so many to turn to..you developer relationships with like minded people that is why picking the right Brokerage is so important.

I have a high regard and respect for so many (too many to mention) and I can turn to most of them for advice/direction/perspective.  

Alexa Collins - my coach, broker and other mega producers for sure.

 I respect a lot of people, especially many professionals here on ActiveRain. When I look for leadership and to have questions answered I go to my managing broker ,

I have many fellow Broker Owners with years of experience.

I rely on my inner self for leadership.

My conscience

Oregon Association of Realtors attorneys.

Some great advice already from the others.  I would add this: It's extremely important to work for a broker whom you respect.  If you don't respect your broker, then ... 

The list of those that I respect and enjoy discussing the improvement of our industry with is a long one.

Your broker and there are some very sharp industry leaders right here in the Rain!

I would go to the Broker/Owner of the office I'm wiht...