Don’t Be Afraid To Be an Expert

Many people I associate with are highly competent in their chosen fields. Some of them have been in the same or related roles for 10 years or more. But they get nervous when someone associates the word “expert” with them.

We are often overly modest about our accomplishments. Partially, because we are our own worst critics. We know that we haven’t always succeeded at everything we have done. But nobody else has either. Most people fear that being called an expert opens them up to being “discovered” for not knowing everything or having failed on occasion.

It really comes out when I talk to people about their background, their resume or their bio. They don’t know how to articulate their accomplishments in a way that really showcases their value to a potential partner, client or employer. What they don’t realize is that their experience, including the failures can be extremely valuable.

Big Companies Need Outside Experts
For example, many consultants think they can’t sell to large companies because they have never been part of one. Or they think big companies are full of smart, intimidating people who probably know everything the consultant knows and then some. The consultant may be right, but they are often not.

Big companies do have lots of people. And, collectively, they may have a lot of brain power. They also have a lot of three other things: dead wood (okay, maybe that wasn’t very nice); a lot of hyper-specialized resources who may not have the full-breadth or big picture thinking the consultant can provide; and politics which prevent them from accomplishing things internally without bringing in an outside “expert.”

Showcase Your Knowledge While You Learn
Expertise is all about experience and providing a different perspective. I equate expertise to teaching. The saying “Teachers often learn more than the students,” applies to experts as well. Just like in a teaching scenario, the expert may not know everything, but because they are regularly discussing the topic of their expertise, they will constantly be exposed to different opinions and viewpoints about their specialty. As they aggregate this knowledge, their level of expertise grows and evolves – increasing their value as an expert.

I am not saying to put yourself out as an expert in a field you know nothing about. If you get caught in someone’s BS filter, you will lose all credibility. But if you do know your stuff, don’t be afraid to showcase your knowledge – people out in the world need that knowledge and would benefit from the value you provide.

Don’t be afraid. Be an expert.