Our friend Shashi Bellamkonda is back with another guest post. This time it’s a discussion question.
What to do when someone calls you a Guru or Expert?
When someone calls you a guru or an expert, it usually means that you are a good learner and have developed some useful knowledge that can be imparted to others. Valeria Maltoni lists Five Attributes of Being an Expert. At the same time, you are now in the danger of stopping learning and living on the past laurels. Here is my plan on what to do when someone calls you an expert:
a) When someone calls you an expert, it comes from their ability to recognize knowledge that is useful to them. Use that opportunity to listen to them, and at the end of the conversation, you probably learn more from them than they from you, and both of you are happier.
b) Do not get too busy being the expert. As George Bernard Shaw said (Paraphrasing) “You learn everyday of your life except for a short break in school.” So take some time to read and follow experts in your field, or other areas as education that will help you retain the expert title.
c) Lingo: You can only be the expert if others do not know what you have to offer, so speak their language and not your own. If you lay your plans in the most basic and simple language, then people will understand you, and you can proudly retain the status of expert.
So come call me an expert, and the chances are I will take you to lunch and listen and learn from you :)
Shashi is the Social Media Swami at Network Solutions. He can also be found at his personal Happenings, advice and other technology thoughts blog and the Solutions Are Power blog.
[Disclosure: Network Solutions sponsored our Small Business Ideas for Small Towns booklet.]
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Nicely put!
I am by no means an expert in any of the fields I work/p;lay in, but I am experienced. Experienced enough to know that there is always more to learn!
I find that in any of the areas I work in, as soon as someone says “you’re the expert” I happily turn things around to them and ask them what they think about the situation/issue, etc. and learn a whole new perspective on it!
When someone else calls you a guru, expert or rockstar –> GOOD!
When you call yourself a guru, expert or rockstar –> BAD!
Here’s an example of something that’s good:
“When in comes to focusing on the unique needs of small business owners in small towns and rural areas, Becky McCray and the authors at Small Biz Survival are the go-to experts.”
Rex Hammock
SmallBusiness.com
Feel free to quote me on that.
Halyma, you’re right. There is always more to learn.
Rex, thank you. I’ll gladly take you to lunch, and keep learning from you.
Becky,
Great post. I especially liked the advice of listening instead of responding to the person that calls you an expert. It is not a coincidence that people who are good listeners are often praised for their wisdom. Many of the self-proclaimed gurus could take a listen from this post.
Regards,
Brad