Join the movement that’s raising the standard.
Thought leadership shapes strategy, drives demand, and influences the world’s most important decisions. But as content volume explodes and AI makes publishing effortless, credibility has never been harder to judge.
The Global Thought Leadership Institute (GTLI) at APQC exists to raise the bar. We define the standards, practices, and ethics that make thought leadership trustworthy, actionable, and worth investing in.
Is AI Strengthening – or Undermining – Thought Leadership?
New global research reveals how AI is reshaping trust, relevance, and impact.
AI is reshaping how insights are created, trusted, and consumed — and executives are paying close attention. While 97% of leaders say thought leadership improves decision-making, nearly 70% say AI use can negatively affect their willingness to engage.
Based on insights from more than 1,300 thought leadership consumers and producers worldwide, this new report from the Global Thought Leadership Institute reveals what it will take to stay relevant, credible, and influential in an AI-driven future.
Download the report to learn how thought leadership must evolve — and why human judgment still matters.
GTLI 2026 Symposium
February 5-6, 2026
In an era where AI is reshaping influence, the GTLI 2026 Symposium offers two days of strategies, tools, and real-world insights to help you create, deliver, and scale thought leadership with clarity and credibility—equipping you to expand your reach, accelerate your impact, and lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world.
2025 Stevie Winner
Honored at the 2025 American Business Awards
The Global Thought Leadership Institute at APQC has been awarded a Silver Stevie Award in the Thought Leader of the Year category of the American Business Awards. More than 3,600 nominations from organizations of all sizes and in virtually every industry were submitted this year for consideration in a wide range of categories. The Stevie® Awards are the world’s premier business awards. They were created in 2002 to honor and generate public recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals worldwide. The Stevie has quickly become one of the most prestigious and sought-after awards in the world.
“As executives grow immune to traditional marketing, thought leadership creates meaningful connections by demonstrating expertise and solving real-world problems. I’m honored to help build an Institute that advances credible, trusted thought leadership and strengthens the profession."
– Anthony Marshall, Chair of the GTLI Board of Advisors & Global Leader, IBM Institute for Business Value
Redefining Excellence
Organizations playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of thought leadership
For the first time, the Global Thought Leadership Institute at APQC is proud to present a curated list of 100 organizations that are redefining excellence in thought leadership. These trailblazers are producing rigorous, insight-rich content that empowers executives to make smarter, faster decisions in an increasingly complex and changing world.