There’s an old saying I learned from my Dad: “Just ‘cuz you can swing a hammer, doesn’t make you a carpenter.”
Claiming the title “expert” can feel a little daunting. For some, it can even feel arrogant. Yet for others, it’s an open invitation to overstate one’s qualifications.
- So how do you know when to call yourself an expert?
- How do you know when you’re stretching things too far and claiming a title you don’t yet deserve?
- What if the Expert Police come pounding on your door at 2am demanding answers?
I’m covering these questions in the next few blog posts as part of my Expert Series.
Let’s look at social media experts as an example.
If you’re on Twitter, you’ll see lots of profiles with the words “social media expert” or “social media strategist”. For many this is a valid claim as they’ve been around and have the respect of their followers and peers. For others it’s sheer self-aggrandizement, stretching more than a bit too far.
It’s a fast moving world, and a lot can be picked up in 21 days on Twitter, but does that grant someone the right to lay claim to the title “expert”?
Yes, No, and Maybe as this series of tips will point out. (You can subscribe to my RSS feed here to stay up to date)
Today’s Tip:
The Word “EXPERT” Comes from the Word “EXPERIENCE”… remember that!
Way back when, before you could read a book on Saturday and proclaim yourself an expert on Monday, people had to prove their expert status through experience.
My great-grandfather was a master cabinet maker in Mexico, responsible for creating stunning cabinetry in churches and haciendas. He was trained at an early age in the craft, then went on to mastery level where he ultimately trained apprentices under him. No one’s work equaled his and no one could argue his expertise.
Now let’s take a look at today: If you don’t have some sort of experience to back up your claims, then you can’t claim yourself to be an expert, plain and simple.
Training does not equal experience either.
Reading a book on a subject without ever having DONE the WORK does not equal expertise.
You need training AND real world experience. Just go into a store or restaurant and have that person with the “Trainee” name tag help you and you’ll know what I mean.
Does this mean you have to sit and learn before you take action? Absolutely not.
Taking action while you learn is how things get done. Just be honest about your level of knowledge and competence.
When I post my next tip, I’m going to talk about The Expertise Gap and how to identify yourself as an expert without feeling like an impostor.
Also, a quick word for the upcoming Mastermind Lounge program. I’ve got some time sensitive deadlines that disappear quickly. If you feel called to bring your expertise to a bigger audience and know that a powerful group of peers can help you get there, then CLICK HERE for more info.
Next deadline is Friday March 20, so apply now.
About Nancy Marmolejo
