Being an Expert
You don’t have to be the best to be an Expert.
Introduction
To be an expert on something doesn’t mean that you are the best in it but it just means that you are the best in the group. If you know the subject better than all those around you then you will be treated as the expert in the group.
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Having the knowledge is not enough
However, having the knowledge alone is not enough. Your knowledge is only appreciated by the group when you are able to apply it and share it. For example, if you work in a company or are in a family where nobody knows how to use a computer. Even with a little knowledge, you will be considered the “computer expert”.
Risk
So you are now the expert in your group or company! What should you do next? Just because you are now the expert, it does not mean you will be the expert forever. While you are the expert, few will dare to go against you.
It is best to take advantage of your position as an expert and build up good will with other. This can be done by helping and sharing your knowledge. This will help in two ways:
- As you teach others, you continue practice your skills and keep that knowledge fresh.
- By sharing your knowledge and skills, you will not be stuck in the position you are currently at.
In many cases, when opportunities open, you will be passed by because you are too indispensable in your current position. Also, if you are working in a company and are too difficult to handle, you could made obsolete either by moving to a different technology or hire someone better than you.
Conclusion
So it is easy to be an expert. Get to that position, build up the good will and then plan your growth.
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