Let’s Love Experts Again
04.11.2010 | Chris Bailey | Focused on Creative
Experts have been getting such a bum rap lately. It seems no one likes them and no one (at least who is reputable) wants to be considered one anymore. There are even some who believe they’re on their way to extinction.
It’s easy to understand why. Because they’re always in your face telling you how smart they are and how their way is the only way to do something. And all this bullshit is usually backed up with actual expertise that has about as much depth as a kiddie pool…or blasted at you by an ego roughly the size of the Grand Canyon. Never mind that they act like Moses just back from a tête-à-tête with God complete with stone tablet in hand.
But I’m here to preach a different gospel. I argue the true experts – the ones who know and value their own worth – will humbly submit what works fantastically for them and show others how they got their results. They don’t cast about with “should’s” and “must’s” and “do as I say’s.” Instead, they offer suggestions knowing that every situation varies and what works well in one place and time might not work nearly as well in another.
Put simply, it’s the difference between dragging and leading. A pseudo-expert feels they need to drag everyone to their truth. A true expert believes in their value and will lead anyone seeking new learning to their own experience.
Don’t be afraid to be an expert. Let’s show these pseudo-expert dimwads what true expertise looks like so maybe folks will trust and respect experts again.
5 Responses to “Let’s Love Experts Again”
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Chris,____I'm confused. You argued for generalists two days ago and now you are arguing for experts. They are two different animals. To be an expert you need to immerse yourself in one area. A generalist needs to know a little about a lot of fields by "zigzagging" around a bit. Nothing wrong with either. But I'm having trouble following you on your journey of exploration.____Bill
Bill, I don't see how how arguing for both is inconsistent. As you say, they're different animals and nothing is wrong with either. And we must have both groups…a world without either is going to be dull (and dangerous). Also consider the polymath who is an expert in several disciplines.
My point in this post is to argue that there's benefit to being an expert and we shouldn't hide from our own expertise, particularly if we've worked to achieve it. Far too many people have jumped on the anti-expert bandwagon. It's time to rethink what value we have as experts and apply this knowledge in better ways.
Interesting take Chris. I caught your tweet the other day about wanting to wrap your head around this issue and was curious to see what you’d come up with!
While the word ‘expert’ can grate on the sensibility people claim to have with humility (a very misunderstood value, Ha‘aha‘a…) I also see the world of good in encouraging people to stand up for what they not only believe, but know to be true by merit of their experience. The downside of keeping humility up on a pedestal is that we confuse it with being meek, uninvolved and lowliness; we fail to tap into the wealth of abundance within ourselves and others.
When we look at it this way (your way as described here) a ‘generalist’ can actually be expert in more than one calling: it’s a desirable adjective again versus a noun, and it relates to putting different signatures on the best work you do… sort of like a gallery showing of completed art!
I also like the way you are ‘verbing’ it: What you’ve said about the difference between dragging and leading gives me much more food for thought.
My recent post A Ho‘ohana Talk Story: April 2010
Rosa, this is a powerful statement:
"The downside of keeping humility up on a pedestal is that we confuse it with being meek, uninvolved and lowliness; we fail to tap into the wealth of abundance within ourselves and others."
And that, I think, is the trap most people fall into when it comes to humility: how to be a humble expert from a place of strength. Not easy…I struggle with ego, as well. But its a pursuit well worth the effort.
Rosa, this is a powerful statement:
"The downside of keeping humility up on a pedestal is that we confuse it with being meek, uninvolved and lowliness; we fail to tap into the wealth of abundance within ourselves and others."
And that, I think, is the trap most people fall into when it comes to humility: how to be a humble expert from a place of strength. Not easy…I struggle with ego, as well. But its a pursuit well worth the effort.