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Here’s the thing about “experts.” Experts think they know more than most people.
Many of them, do in fact, know more than most people. That’s not the point, though.
The point is the second they start thinking this, they are that much less likely to be willing to learn from others. They’re an expert, all they want to do is teach.
I’m not saying all experts are like this, but here is what I’m trying to get across: even if you are an “expert” (self-proclaimed or nominated), live like you’re not an expert. Don’t get caught up in your book deals or AdAge 150 blog. Don’t consider yourself the ultimate source of knowledge in your area.
In order to even maintain your label as an expert, you must convince yourself you are not an expert. You must constantly have the desire to soak up new information, learn from others, and tell yourself the amount of information you don’t know is far more than how much you do know. If you don’t do this, someone’s going to take over as the expert very quickly.
As for me. I kind of like not being an expert. I love reading articles and listening to others speak and being amazed at the knowledge that is flowing from their brains. I only hope that if I’m ever so fortunate to be deemed an expert by others, that I can maintain that philosophy. If any of you are around me and that doesn’t happen, you have permission to punch me.
So what about you? Are you an “expert?” If so, are you trying to live like you’re not one? If you’re not an expert, what are your thoughts?
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Comments
08.24.09
I absolutely agree. If I had a dime for every person that follows me on Twitter with 'expert' or 'guru', I'd be in need of an immediate CoinStar visit.
The problem I have with 'experts' is: a) the assumption that if you through 'expert' in your description, it will ensure that people will want to listen to what you have to say. I feel it's much more important to earn your audience organically or through referrals- let people recommend you as an expert to their friends and colleagues. And B) too many times I see these 'experts' learn a new trick or method and immediately become stagnant. You are on point when you talk about always reading and learning; there's always something else to discover.
08.24.09
This was the perfect post for me to come across this evening. I work for an agency full of true experts and as their PR person I am always trying to tell them that if they come across as too much of an expert they will sound off-putting. They then tell me it is my job to make them sound more "likable". Which is true of course.
Now that our org is jumping into social media, I myself have been tagged as the resident expert and I try to distance myself from that label as much as possible. I love to learn and I love to be a sponge. The social media world is not static but dynamic and constantly changing. You have to be willing to learn in order to stay on top and relevant.
I would rather pass on the great articles and info I discover through my ongoing learning process via my blog or through my work groups (our name for projects) than to be quoted or pointed to as an expert.
I want my blog and my org to grow because our audience cares about what we have to say and are committed to learning more. I think that if they see a regular person, learning right along with them and then lending a helping hand rather than seeing a stuffy "Expert" they will be much more likely to identify with what I and my org has to say.
Great post. Thanks.
08.24.09
oh and one more thing - the very notion of being an expert implies that you have nothing left to learn and that is ridiculous. There is always more to learn, simply because the world/time/developments do not stand still. :)
08.25.09
Experts do have things to contribute to the world. Not all experts are good and not all experts suck. Think of a parallel between experts and personal trainers. There are so many of them out there who love , working out and would love to teach you, but not everyone is good at it. It takes a certain skill for a seeker to find a good personal trainer who can help him/her achieve the right fitness goal.
The same applies in the "expert" field too. There are too many of them out there trying to help or con. A few are good and are really good at guiding people in the right direction. The trick is to the find ones who we can accept coaching from.
08.25.09
Eh, experts are overrated. They always seem to be disagreeing. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to believe any expert who can't agree on what is true. Internet experts are the worst. Most people don't fact-check the blogs they read, so faux online experts get away with murder. If I'm reading an 'experts' blog and I don't see sources credited, I click away. Expert opinions should still be based on fact.
08.25.09
It continues to amaze me at how many people call themselves "experts." I know people who simply put up a website and some content and call themselves an expert in that field. It has become overused but it still is a valuable term to differentiate qualified people. But not sure how to resolve this issue as long as people throw it around willy-nilly.
08.25.09
What if you're a Guru? That's better, right? ;-)
Yes, I agree though; as soon as people cease to be collaborators and will only contribute to a discussion as an authority figure, rather than exchange value, then they're suddenly not really worth too much anymore.
Maybe it's all in a name? All in the posturing?
08.25.09
@Ryan - I definitely agree that there are some experts out there who are "better" than others, but the key is being able to stay an expert by living like you're not one.
@Amanda - I actually think it's okay for experts to disagree every now and then, there'd be something wrong if everyone agreed on the hot topics.
@Marcos - An application process? :) I think the only real experts are the ones who are not self nominated.
@JR - Oh if you're a guru that's a completely different story! Haha.
08.25.09
An interesting (somewhat relevant) quote:
"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly.
Specialization is for insects."
-Robert A. Heinlein
Outside their realm of expertise, "experts" are complete noobs. Anybody could argue that stubbornness varies from person to person, but I agree with you and generally stereotype experts as being close-minded. When I'm interviewing people to hire, I actually look down on those with masters & PhD's because I feel that their knowledge, though vast in one specific field, will not help me when it comes down to teamwork & getting shit done.
08.25.09
@Eugene - I've gotten a ton of good quotes from people in response to this post, so thanks for adding your own! New hires is an interesting point of view to look at this from, because what is more valuable than someone who is eager to soak up new information and add to their existing knowledge? Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!
08.30.09
"When I'm interviewing people to hire, I actually look down on those with masters & PhD's because I feel that their knowledge, though vast in one specific field, will not help me when it comes down to teamwork & getting shit done."
Until you need their expertise in an area they specialize in and they have long memories on how you looked down on them, when you didn't think they had anything to contribute to you and your business. Then you're gonna pay through the nose for your lack of respect for their knowledge and experience.
08.30.09
Ooh, sounds like a pretty myopic strategy. Isn't it a bit like throwing the baby out with the bathwater (horrible image). What if they have that vast knowledge AND teamwork etc.?
09.14.09
This post was definitely a good read! Can't count the number of times I've run into "experts" in one field or another, and while there are a good portion that have placed themselves on some pedestal, I have also run into enough of them that still think of themselves in the learning process.
I seem to have more and more exposure to "experts" now that I'm in the IT industry with all the various certifications and whatnot. I've read articles by and spoken with people who are considered the SME of their field who are spot on true experts, and on the flip side, have read articles by self-aggrandizing individuals who would have you think the universe rotates according to their schedules, and spoken to a few so called experts who I think might actually believe the universe thing.....
All I'm saying is there are real experts out there in most fields, who are willing to help those in need of help/advice/assistance, and there will always be those experts who simply sit behind their desk and expect others to "do the dirty work", as they feel they've earned their expert badge.
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