Are You Really an Expert? Prove It...

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From time to time, we talk about what defines an 'expert'. Is it just someone who knows a bit more than the audience he serves? Is it someone who has read more books? Or does it require the blessing of some higher authority?

I'm going to give you a new way to look at expertise.

I just finished reading the latest issue of TalkBiz News, by our own Paul Myers. He made the point that, if someone does not understand what you are saying, it doesn't necessarily mean they have some kind of intellectual deficiency (six-bit phrase for 'they're dumb'). It might just mean they don't have the background to understand the concept, and that you need to be prepared to explain in terms they understand.

Which leads to this take on expertise and 'being an expert'.

For me, a true expert is someone whose knowledge of their subject is thorough enough to not only 'talk the talk' but explain it in terms those without the same background can understand. It doesn't matter if your topic is SEO, steak sauce or shoe shopping.

If you tell me to buy a certain pair of shoes, and I ask why, and all you can do is feed me a list of features, you are not an expert. If you can explain to me that a certain stitching pattern or design feature indicates a long and useful life for those shoes, and do it in plain language, you just might be an expert.

So I put it out for discussion...

Is the ability to explain high-level concepts in a way that non-experts can understand, without 'dumbing things down', and how those concepts fit together, a sign of a true expert?

Or is it simpler than that?
#main internet marketing discussion forum #expert #prove
  • Expertise is subjective. If I can explain to my Mom how to program her VCR, I become an instant electronics expert to her.

    If you can remember that half the people you talk to about SEO don't know what you are talking about - at all - if you can explain concepts to them in a way that makes it understandable - you become an expert.

    Whether you know your *ss from your elbow is a different story. And that's why people progress through guru's, hopefully gaining different or greatly expanded knowledge from each person.

    And, I never think of it as dumbing it down. Many people are more knowledgeable than I am in other areas, and have talents I don't.
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    • This. If you know more than someone on a given subject or topic, they will by definition, view you as an expert.
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  • The ability to explain high level concepts in a way that non experts can understand would make someone a good Teacher not necessarily an expert. The expert would be the one who can actually work with those high level concepts.
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    • I think that could just mean you read a few books and you're good at conveying things in ways people will understand.

      Not necessarily an expert, but you might be.

      I think an expert is a name people have bestowed upon you. If you have to prove it, you aren't one.
  • Hey John,

    IMO, this is confusing the difference between being an expert and a good teacher.

    A cobler may be an expert on shoes, but poor at explaining the benefits of his shoes.
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    • Banned
      Kurt is right. Being an expert and a good teacher are two different things.

      Regardless, people buy to satisfy themselves. And they will buy from whoever says so.



      • [ 1 ] Thanks
    • I have a really good friend who is an expert guitar player. Been playing it since he was a kid. Aspires to be a rockstar. Without a doubt he knows his stuff.

      But he's also a terrible teacher. I NEVER ask him how to do things, because for whatever reason when he tries to explain something we always end up with 2+2=24. LOL. It's quite comical really.
  • To me, a real expert is someone who has a great depth
    of knowledge and experience in their subject area.

    Whether or not they can explain it to a non-expert in
    simple terms does not add or take away from the level
    of their expertise.

    Back in 1994 when I was in the final year of my degree
    in Mechanical and Materials Engineering I was 'taught'
    by a number of different lecturers and professors. (I
    use the term very loosely!).

    Often, it seemed that the ones who had the most
    qualifications and published research papers in the area,
    were the poorest communicators of their subject. But
    the depth of their expertise was greater than their peers.

    So, expertise and the ability to teach it to others are
    two different things that aren't necessarily tied together.

    However, I will say that I have more respect for experts
    who CAN teach their subjects well and adjust their
    material to suit the audience they're communicating
    with.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
    • [ 3 ] Thanks
  • Here the definition according to Dictionary.con:

    Expert: (A person who has special skill or knowledge in some particular field.)


    I don't believe to be an expert at something you need to
    have the "ability to explain high-level concepts in a way
    the average Joe can understand easily"

    Perhaps one could be an expert at:

    "Explaining high-level concepts in a way
    ordinary folks can understand" ?

    -Doctors and specialists do it day in and day out.
    My doctor does to me all the time, he speaks in
    Medical terminology all the time which sometimes
    Is hard for me to comprehend...

    So is my doctor still an expert on the subject even
    Though I had some difficulty understanding him?

    You bet....

    Anyway good point I liked it.
  • Well John, I'm with you most of the way on this. I've been known to complain about the poor quality of a lot of videos and other info products. For many of them it's obvious that the creator knows what s/he's talking about but they fall way short in making the concept clear enough so someone else can actually implement a certain strategy. That bugs me to no end.

    I've gotta laugh when someone who became a member here last week starts a thread wanting to know how to launch a WSO or a product outside of this forum. I understand there are some folks with enough valuable knowledge to do that but most are clueless.

    Essentially, you're saying that someone who can do an effective job of teaching or communicating a method is an expert. I'm not sure. I guess I'd be interested in seeing the actual definition of the word expert. But at least in spirit I hear what your saying and agree.
  • I like to think that if I can't explain it so my (couldn't care less about this internetweb-thingy) wife understands it I don't know enough about the subject. Having a teaching background helps.

    This is also why teachers sometimes asks the best students to help weaker students. Explaining a concept to someone else is the best way to make sure you understand it.

    I remember back when the .NET framework was still on the 1.1 edition I was tasked by my new employer to do teach .NET to web designers. Designers have a significantly different outlook on technology than developers, but do have a good technical background.

    What I found was I had to make sure they could visualize the concepts they were being taught. I have never done so much UI work in my life, but we managed to get a 70% certification rate which is pretty darn good with a group of students with no development experience.

    The point is, before you even try to teach something you have to make sure you know who you are teaching. Putting yourself in their position is paramount to learning.
  • What you have defined is a teacher, not an expert. An expert is required to excel at "doing", not "teaching".
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    • Personally, I would rather learn from someone who is the best at conveying the information than from someone who is the best at doing it without the ability to convey it. The first person would still know enough about the subject to actually do what he teaches. The latter individual might be the best at what he does, but if he can't teach he is useless to me.
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    • Unless the teaching is the doing, such as what teachers do. It's possible to be great (and an expert) at doing, but not being able to teach it. It's also possible to be great at teaching some subjects, but not able to do it. It's also possible to be an expert teacher, one who knows how to impart information in such a way so as to affect change in behavior, without which teaching has not actually been done. But that's another subject.

      Ron
  • I think the ability to make the complex simple is a form of ingenuity, which in my opinion... also qualifies you to be an expert of the subject.
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    • Exactly!

      If you can do that you ARE an expert!
  • There are teachers, doers, a mix of both and then others... What defines an expert varies greatly by what the topic is...
  • John,

    Outstanding question. Thank you.

    One of my favourite quotes is this:

    "

    I am not an expert by any means in any area, but, I do know a lot more than some people and to those people I am an expert.

    For those people that I help or teach or do something for them that they cannot do themselves (yet) I am the expert. But there will be a point where some of them will go on and learn more about a particular subject and know more about it than me.

    Then I become the student again.

    My point is that even if we are an 'expert' in something, there is always someone who knows far more than us, and always something new that we have to learn.

    Di (the eternal newbie )
  • Some experts don't know how to explain themselves, some non-experts do. I think is more having the knowledge more above average that makes you an expert on any given topic, then knowing how to explain its just practice.
  • I think people who can explain high level concepts in ways that others can understand might not necessarily be experts but they do have great communication skills.


    Another point I guess, is let's say that you are NOT an expert, but you do have good communication skils and are able to explain those concepts in ways that others can easily understand, well guess what, even though you aren't an expert, those people who are you just explained those things to will look at you as an expert, even if you aren't.

    Shane
  • Banned
    This was asked to me when I was interviewed (during those rat race days). This is what I answered assuming that the person is blind since birth.

    Color is an abstract matter. Abstract things are best examples when illustrating something to the blind. Love is an abstract matter. People who have visions associate 'red' to 'love.' People who can see have not smelled, tasted, touched, heard, nor literally seen it but they have felt it. A blind person can only feel (sometimes, there are those who can't even hear). Love can be felt. People with and without the sense of vision do feel love. So, associating love to red will make the blind person relate to what you're describing.

    I know this may be (or is) an off topic but I just want to share how one may respond when asked that question on an interview.

    Just sharing.
  • I'll have to go along with Niels Bohr: "An expert is someone who has made all the mistakes which can be made in a narrow field."
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    • Wow... Thanks to all who contributed.

      This went in a little different direction than I thought it would, but that's OK because I think I got a better discussion.

      I read Paul's take on things, and then thought about it some. What I remembered was trying to communicate with so-called experts who could sound really 'smart', and were using those smarts to attempt to get me to buy something.

      Where they lost me was when I asked a basic question. They gave me the textbook answer, and when that didn't click, gave it to me again. They probably thought I was just too dumb to understand.

      I found another 'expert' - more in the line of the coaches people mentioned above. He wasn't outstanding in his field, in fact, he was retired. But the product was his passion - you could tell from entering his shop, before he ever spoke. He just flat out knew his stuff.

      I asked him the same newbie question. He thought a moment, and gave me a two-sentence, no-jargon explanation that made perfect sense. In fact, it made the earlier answers more comprehensible.

      Was he more 'expert' than the book-smart salespeople? Or was he just a better teacher (and I use the word 'just' with caution when referring to teaching)?
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  • in my opinion - an expert is someone who has successfully completed a difficult project or task.
  • No, No, NO!!! All you have to do to be an expert is search google for at least an hour, or read an eBook (Haven't you read any WSOs?)

    Quit tryin to complicate things - yer makin it sound like work! :rolleyes:
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  • I look for experts who understand their field well enough to adapt to many different situations and circumstances. That is what really shows you a person has a good understanding of a topic and that they are not just a one trick pony or someone who got lucky.
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    • I'm guessing you haven't met any real geeks. I mean the guys who can grasp higher concepts and all as experts, but cannot tie their shoes, or get home on their own, or do many of the things we find to be simple???
  • Good thing no one told that to Anne Sullivan or Helen Keller.

    Back to the question John asked:

    My answer is a resounding YES!

    In my opinion, an expert is someone with advanced skills or expertise who is able to use those skills to communicate high level concepts to their intended audience at such a level that the intended audience both understands, and benefits from.

    Dumbing down is condescending. A true expert never resorts to condescension.

    As Paul says:

    Explaining something in terms someone understands is quite different from "the deliberate diminishment of the intellectual level of the content."

    I have seen Paul explain many things in terms that are easy to understand; I have never seen him 'dumb down' or diminish the intellectual level of his content.
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    • You probably never will. I have far too high an opinion of the intelligence of most people to be disrespectful to them as a group.

      There are occasional individuals who deserve to be spoken to in dismissive or condescending terms, but people as a whole? No way. That's just rude.

      Back to the topic... I think some folks confuse "teacher" with "expert." To teach someone responsibly, you have to know your topic well enough to impart new knowledge to the student, in ways that don't create problems to those learning from you.

      Expert is a whole other level of experience. Note that the two words come from the same root, and you'll get the difference.


      Paul
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    • Hi John,

      I don't know, I'm not an expert on this subject

      But I do believe that it's a really valuable skill to possess, not least because if you KNOW that you can do this and you're not afraid to be asked ANY question about a subject on your chosen trade (and you combine this with honesty - IE - having the guts to admit when you don't know the answer - but offer to look into it and report back), the confidence radiates from you in a way which attracts prospects who will try and close the deal with YOU to be their go-to-guy, because it becomes a matter of pride to them to have landed someone who they feel is one of the best in the field and because your confidence radiates and makes them feel confident too.

      When the business area is 'internet' which for many non-techies is like a different language (hence, they are vulnerable to 'sharks') this combination of skills (experience, confidence, honesty and the ability to explain in simple format) appears to be what many clients are seeking.

      I think I was dumbed-down at state school. Just to confound their evil plans, I've been working on this for some time and now I'm much more dumbed-up.
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  • Banned
    [DELETED]
  • A valid point, but some people find it harder then others to get there point across to beginners when there is such a gulf in knowledge and experience. Talking to beginners takes time and patience, two things that alot of people just dont have.
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  • Another concept...You can also be a good "reporter/researcher/reviewer" to offer valuable info. I don't need to be an expert in Photoshop or a good teacher of Photoshop to come up with a list of 20 great free Photoshop plugins.

    I can also simply be a good student and currate what Photoshop tutorial videos on Youtube were the most helpful to me, leveraging the expertise and teaching ability of others.
  • It can be difficult to define what an expert really is. But if they know what to do and it really works then I can say that guy could be an expert. Perhaps, the basic definition of an expert is someone who knows a particular topic inside and out and can explain this to anyone with no problems.
  • What you're describing is essentially teaching - being able to explain new information in a way that people can grasp and retain it. Which is a discipline and skill unto itself.

    Expertise is simply a deep knowledge of a specific topic. You don't have to be a good teacher to be an expert. However, if you are an expert AND a teacher, then you can achieve that guru or elite consultant status that so many aim for in our industry.
  • What you are describing here is a good teacher and not an expert. An expert might be able to do things and not explain them so you could understand.

    If you are an expert then good for you. If you are an expert and a good teacher then good for all of us
  • I am agree with KURT. we can make some things but we don't know the actual value of that things some time.
  • I believe over the years I have developed my skill set and knowledge to call myself an expert in my field. I've been playing with SEO since before link building existed and you could just load up a page and list thousands of keywords in white text on a white background to claim multiple number 1 spots.

    Recently I've branched out to teaching this knowledge and I really do have a hard time with breaking things down so others can understand. Its a skill I have never really appreciated in people but it's much harder than it looks.

    But a True Expert is someone that lives and breathes what they do and enjoys every minute of it, whether that's an SEO, architect or sugeon. Someone who has a true passion for what they do will constantly be evolving, learning and developing their skillset.
  • You can indeed be an expert at something, but still not be any good at explaining it.

    I'd suggest that an "expert" is someone with extensive APPLIED KNOWLEDGE.

    It's one thing to have knowledge. It's another thing to have a body of experience in applying that knowledge to various situations over a period of time.

    A person can know many textbook martial arts forms. But only by executing them repetitively do these become ingrained into muscular memory sufficient to be a reflexive action.

    A medical student can know anatomy and lots of sequences of medical procedures, but unless he or she has actually spent time in the field practicing, the textbook knowlede is theoretical.
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    • Now THAT is the difference between a teacher and an expert: actually doing.
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  • Paid $600 (like a decade ago) to get a microphone said a few worked (less then 2 minutes) never did what I talked about, people rushed to ask questions. I was shocked they they considered me an expert. I sold $1500 in the hall hallway. Sold more years later. People still consider me and expert and pay me. I never lied or did the stuff I talked about. (or cheated or deceived).

    Plus I don't have a degree or background. You dont' have to go to space people to be an expert about space travel or sell tickets on Virgin Galactic.

    Most of you overcomplicate things in my opinion I know you don't agree with me but that is the truth.
  • Banned
    I am going to contribute to this thread not because there is anything in particular that will differentiate my opinion from others, but, because this is a really thought provoking thread IMO.
    Anywho,
    In closing, applied knowledge and the ability to convey to your students is all that matters. What good is learning from a world renowned expert who is hiccius doccius in speech but unable to be a great agonistarch. Sure you give him credit for not being inaniloquent, but, really at the end you are left wanweird don't you think?
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    • I love the term "Expert-induced amnesia".

      The idea is that experts often suck at teaching beginners because they have forgotten the problems they themselves faced when they started.

      My favourite expert-to-newbie advice: "Just build a website and then . . . "

      Martin
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  • Well, as I read through this thread every point I wanted to make had already been made, some repeatedly. So all I can add is this ... sometimes an expert is just someone who gave up being a pert. :rolleyes:
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  • I have used that term about myself on some of my marketing. Since becoming an Expert on such a new industry like Internet Marketing and Social Media, is like the Wild Wild West...I feel comfortable using that term. I have put time in learning including hundreds of hours of webinars, training courses and hands on experience. I have gained more confidence over the past several years using that phrase. I would say that a majority of us in this Forum are experts, especially compared to the rest of the world...
  • There is a huge difference between having Mastery in a field and Experts

    I know a lot of Masters who are forever students and would never say they are an expert. I know a TON of experts who could stand to talk to the masters in their field of expertise. It's subjective

    Now~~ what do you need to do to be an expert In Your field of Business? Do you have to feel it? Be granted a piece of paper? Get awarded a honor? Appear on TV? Write a book? Does someone have to tell you, you are one? How will you know you are an expert? What ever it is for you or your field, I hope you are one now or become a great one very soon!
  • For me expert is when you excel in your own domain, you can solve problems right away you have full control of what you are doing or with your business. It really depends with the persons capacity you may think your an expert but for they might think you are not. But if you are confident that you are good at what you do then you don't need to prove that to anyone.
  • I agree John! I've taught guitar for instance to a lot of people. I'm a very accomplished player, but not the most knowledgeable for teaching.

    However, I would get students who had been struggling for ages with their old teachers who were major music nerds. I would then explain to them things in simpler terms, using analogies and comparisons, because I had to do that with myself as well. A teacher or expert is someone who can see the problem from many different angles.

    I also think that if you know a little bit more about something than most people, and that what you have to offer could help them...go for it! who cares if you are not a complete expert. If you can aid in any way, there should be nothing preventing you.

    We are very jaded on this forum about gurus and so forth. We tend to be skeptical of anything that anyone can offer.

    Helping a person can be the greatest gift.
  • Banned
    So without practical experience you can't be an expert!
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    • Banned
      Or

      you could be an expert at sales and sell packages on infomercials never actually doing the thing you get people to buy. An expert at repurposing, repackaging, and, "modeling" your products after someone elses.

      Perceived as an expert because you look to part.:rolleyes:
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  • I believe in some niches it would be true, but in the IM niche or any other make money niches, it is way beyond simply being able to explain well the concepts but rather to be able to SUCCEED at the thing you claim to be good at to be recognised as an expert.

    I know all the basic concepts and can explain them to newbies, but till the day i am able to use the knowledge to turn myself into a success, i am still not a "true expert"
  • You know you're an expert if...

    5. The "little people" ask you for your autograph.
    4. Your mom and dad call you "sir" (or ma'am).
    3. Mail addressed to "Expert at [your zip code]" is delivered to you.
    2. You email your list from the beach while sipping a Margarita.
    1. You have unrestricted access to Area 51.
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  • A person can be considered as an expert if he has the complete knowledge over anything and also can do any type of work in that arena or with that tools.
  • The notion of an Expert is both relative and highly subjective.

    Experience has shown me that a group will acclaim someone as an expert if he/she can continually demonstrate an ability to solve a specific set of problems for them. They may do this through direct involvement or by offering effective advice. However, other groups may regard that individual's abilities as only minor or even pedestrian.

    In the land of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
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  • That might also suggest the "expert" to posess quality communication skills which they are readily willing to use (sometimes at painstaking length to convey a skill) - which in most situations isn't the case.

    I'm known in the logo design field, but as much as I've given tutorials I wouldn't feel confident nor particularly willing to guide anyone through that entire process at the drop of a hat regardless of any likely incentive that's placed before me. If it were so simple, I'd already have done so much more than I have already to teach others.

    Sometimes people are experts within their area because they have taken the time to research into the subject themselves which is sometimes a prolonged chore within it's own right and not one that can be conveyed so readily to the next person. It's for this reason that true experts could be argued to be so few and far between.

    No-one would need to know that their surgeon is competent in presenting surgery. They need only know that the person is comptent at performing surgery and being effective at communication within their working group only and it's that which should mark the sought proof.
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    • I was with you right up to this point.

      As an expert logo designer, I'm betting that if I were a client you could explain to me why my idiotic idea is idiotic without losing me as a client. Yes?

      And a really successful surgeon has to be able to explain the basics of a procedure to a patient well enough for that patient to make an informed decision.

      In both cases, the expert might have to use a pretty broad brush. But both the client and the patient should be able to understand what the designer or surgeon intends to do even if they aren't trying to teach that person to design logos or perform brain surgery.
      • [1] reply
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    Are You Really an Expert? Prove It...

    From time to time, we talk about what defines an 'expert'. Is it just someone who knows a bit more than the audience he serves? Is it someone who has read more books? Or does it require the blessing of some higher authority? I'm going to give you a new way to look at expertise.