In Search of Expertise

Here. The one where I finally figure out that membership in a profession does not imply expertise in that profession. For those of you saying "duh," that's not helpful... : )

I think that recognizing expertise is not an exact science. Anyway, some useful checks you can do to assure that a person *is not* an expert, I think valid for any discipline:
- an expert do not believe he knows everything about a topic
- an expert have doubts, even when he is absolutely sure of a thing
- an expert is pleased to explain his knowledge to smart people who listen and really understand, without asking dumb questions
- an expert is recognized by his peers

If someone pass all this checks, you are still not sure he/she is an expert, but of course if he/she fails some check you are not in front of an expert....

I think expertise has a progression that starts with passion, then focus, onto experience, and then a clamness in their understanding of a given topic.

That passion, for me at least, is always the igniter of any expertise I carry today.

On the other hand, there are some people I've worked with over the years that became experts simply by doing what they were told. These people I believe started with focus and diligence, gained experience, then became experts.

Personality can be a part of expertise as well. Are you able to focus or are you always interested in the new way to do things? You may become proficient at something without focus, but you will unlikely ever be an expert.

Of course then there are people with scary brains that read four books and become experts.

I am only an egg.

The answers:

1. Get recommendations from lots of people. Get recommendations from the people that are recommended. Repeat until everyone points to exactly one person as the most respected. i.e. "Networking"

Experts are completely fallible outside their area of expertise, so you have to qualify the area of expertise in extensive detail (i.e. brain surgeon is not specific enough).

Experts are still learning in their area of expertise, so you can always create a scenario in which they will fail.

Personally, I don't really believe in experts.

2. Trial and Error. Forever. It applies pretty much across the board.

Chris, I have a high regard for you as an expert.

That said, I've been an expert and met many experts. Both the definition and the practical aspects depend on the situation and the desired area of expertise. So this is inherently a reflection of your desires here. And you didn't tell us enough about what "experts" you are looking for.

I find the remarks about membership and organization irrelevant and distracting. Many of your statements (particularly Star Wars references) address leadership, not knowledge in any sense. People do not join organizations because they are experts or to be leaders. Many leaders are not experts by any stretch of either definition.

So what kind of expert are you looking for? What is the area of expertise? Is there a particular problem or class of problems?

Because, if you've ever met an expert, you know they are dumb as dirt, like a fish out of water, sucking the air out of the room, when they aren't dealing with that stuff they know so well. And yes, like I said, I've been an expert. Several times...

Being an expert and being perceived as an expert are very different. I'm always surprised when my students think I fully understand what I'm teaching. And I know I've only just begun learning.

On the other hand, my 7th grade science teacher advised, "Whether you know what you're talking about or not, sound positive."

Good questions to ponder on a long, traffic-filled drive home. Thanks.

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