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When Will I Know I Am An Expert?
By Cambridge Who’s Who Member and Contributing Author Lisa Parker
The last thing an expert will ever call themselves is an “expert.” Rather, they will tell you that they learn something related to their line of work every day, particularly when providing a service or applying knowledge they have gained throughout their career. The key to gaining recognition as an expert is not just knowing the right answer, but also knowing how to utilize the resources available to obtain the right answer. An expert can always be relied upon to use sound judgment and persevere in the face of mounting challenges.
“The creative approach of being open minded in the pursuit of knowledge will always leave room for improvement.” – Lisa’s Wisdom
“Positioning oneself as an expert” is a goal that the majority of professionals strive to achieve. Only a few of us will ever become experts; at best, the most we can hope to become is a subject matter expert. This journey for excellence can be challenging, rewarding, even frustrating; and overcoming the competition may seem downright impossible at times.
The foundation of personal success and recognition as an expert can be found alongside the sincere desire to excel in whatever area of expertise you choose to pursue. By setting out to gain success and broaden your knowledge base, you are well on your way to building a reputation that will augment the many assets you already possess.
The value you portray while providing a product, service or other function will ultimately serve to heighten your level of recognition as an expert in your career field. Experts can be found in all walks of life and, contrary to popular belief, may not always be those individuals who possess a lengthy list of credentials and educational background on which they base their expertise.
Some of the most relied upon experts are those who garner their wisdom from the “school of hard knocks” – otherwise known as real life experience. A lot can be said for the resident expert who relies upon personal experiences, combined with trial and error in the development of a reliable product, business or service.
The word expert, as defined in Wikipedia®):
An expert is someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique or skill whose faculty for judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely is accorded authority and status by their peers or the public in a specific well distinguished domain.
An expert, more generally, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability in a particular area of study. Experts are called in for advice on their respective subject, but they do not always agree on the particulars of a field of study.
An expert can be, by virtue of training, education, profession, publication or experience, believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon the individual’s opinion. Historically, an expert was referred to as a sage. The individual was usually a profound philosopher distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment.
Experts have a prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field. In specific fields, the definition of expert is well established by consensus and therefore it is not necessary for an individual to have a professional or academic qualification for them to be accepted as an expert.
Expertise consists of those characteristics, skills and knowledge of a person (that is, expert) or of a system, which distinguish experts from novices and less experienced people.
By combining your life experiences and educational background with a strong willingness to learn, you will be well on your way to becoming an expert. Today’s world provides unlimited online research tools and networking opportunities for professionals around the globe who represent a wide array of career fields. In most cases, any challenge or situation that you find yourself facing has probably been addressed and resolved in some form by others individuals. So, one of the most valuable assets that cannot be ignored is networking. Here are some ways that your network can help you to achieve expert status:
Challenges – Discuss situations or tasks that are the most complicated for you with professionals in your field who have earned your respect. Many of your colleagues will embrace the opportunity to assist you in overcoming obstacles. In turn, as you conquer challenges in your pursuit of success, return the favor to another colleague in need of assistance.
Rewards– Whenever you gain recognition for excellence in the provision of services, share the news with your friends, colleagues and customers. Realizing a sense of accomplishment serves not only to make us feel proud and confident, but it also provides the encouragement we need to conquer new opportunities and challenges. Moreover, achievement piques the interest of prospective clients and provokes a desire within others to be on the receiving end of such high quality service.
Networking– Never underestimate the value of communication. Your level of expertise will be measured in many ways, starting with your approachability and availability to your customers or potential clients. The quality of the service (or lack thereof), and the overall value or reliability of product you provide will serve to generate the most common form of recognition – “word of mouth.“
Visibility– Shaping others’ perceptions of your professional service or level of expertise though effective advertising and marketing is priceless. If the local community is not aware that your service or product is available, then you have placed enough time and effort in publicizing it!
Essentially, you may not know exactly when you become an expert in your particular career field or area of interest. The best clue may be when others let you know. The praise and gratitude expressed by your peers, clients and colleagues based on your genuine concern, sincere approach to providing unprecedented service and/or reliable guidance on a particular subject matter is a good indicator that you are well on your way to positioning yourself as an expert in your field of interest.
As you embark on this path to establish your reputation as an expert in your field of interest, remember that there is always a bit more to be learned around the next bend. Times change, people change, strategies change and concepts continue to evolve. Strive to retain and build on the knowledge that substantiates and sustains your level of proficiency when noted as an “expert.”
May 26th, 2009 at 6:51 am
Lisa Parker is one of the most active members in Cambridge Who’s Who. We sincerely appreciate her willingness to share her knowledge with her fellow members and other individuals seeking professional development. Be sure to read her previous Resource Center article on personal branding entitled “The Art of Establishing Your Personal Business Brand.”
To learn more about Lisa Parker, please visit her personalized profile on Cambridge Connect: Lisa Parker’s Cambridge Who’s Who Connect Profile.
June 2nd, 2009 at 2:45 pm
Cambridge Who’s Who has hit the mark with inducting this author as a member. It is quite refreshing to find that Lisa Parker’s expertise is being lent to giving aspiring executives and professionals tips on becoming experts themselves. Her advice in this article is superb, especially where she specifically notes that one should network and remain visible in order to gain career enhancement.
September 25th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Lisa Parker’s description of “expert” is most remarkable!
Through participating in many of the opportunities offered by Cambridge Who’s Who I have come to be recognized as “an expert”. Lisa Parker’s description has led me to understand what an expert really is and that I actually am one. It has all been a remarkable journey!
It is highly recommended that everyone get involved in communicating what they have to offer in as many ways as are available through this incredible, progressive organization!
With gratitude,
Claire Power Murphy,
Cambridge Who’s Who Top Industry Expert: Health, Wellness and Nutrition!
FIRST chapter in upcoming edition of Top 101 Industry Experts!