Are You An Expert If You Can't Share What You Know? »
Posted by: DawudMiracle 1 year agoAre you really an expert if you can't communicate - clearly share - what you know? I wonder. I know plenty of people who have a lot to offer. I know far less who can really share what they know in a way that benefits others. What do you think?
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PWConner1 year ago
Interesting perspective. I don't know that I agree entirely that an expert must be able to close the gap between what the expert knows and the audience. For instance, let's say you speak to a computer scientist and the conversation goes way over your head. A couple of classes later and you have the same conversation with the expert. This time you understand and recognize the expertise of the individual.
However, an expert that can close the gap might be identified as a consultant or educator.
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sumptuousdigs1 year ago
Cloistered experts work by themselves or in peer groups.
These are research techs., project teams, what have you. These people usually have reps or project managers as intermediaries to the great unwashed masses. (Me).
Trouble shooters, freelancers, or experts that have to deal with the prospective client will not only have to be able to present his case cogently, he will have to understand the layman as he tries to communicate the problem or task.
So the answer is no and yes, depending on the venue.
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DawudMiracle1 year ago
I know people who have learned to communicate better over time. The key is to know how to meet your audience where THEY are. Not using jargon of any kind will often bridge some gaps.
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chevydog1 year ago
Our tongue-in-cheek definition of a consultant was "any ordinary engineer who lives more than 50 miles away."
I lean towards the belief that an expert is someone who knows more than the prospective target audience; that implies that any expert has an audience to which (s)he needs to communicate information. You can be an expert without ever exchanging information, but then you aren't very useful.
Communication is the process by which information is exchanged between people and/or groups. It can be expert>>non-expert or peer>>peer. Anyone who knows something that someone else doesn't (e.g, whether the bill's been paid) is by definition an expert to the other.
Ideally, an expert is also a good communicator. But the one does not necessaily imply the other.
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DawudMiracle1 year ago
Exactly my point. Yet I know people who have a great deal of knowledge - and think of themselves as experts - but seem to lack the ability to share what they know.
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cloud151 year ago
You can be an expert but lack the social and conversational skills needed to explain what your an expert in.
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chevydog1 year ago
To a point, I'd agreee. But nobody's a total zero at communicating--some are just worse than others. Sometimes the form of communication isn't right--e.g., the person is OK one-on-one, but can't speak to a group. If you can't communicate at all, you're probably a rock. Most people can do it in some manner, though maybe not the way we prefer.
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cloud151 year ago
Well let's say your an expert in some scientific field. If your used to explaining the field on your level, you may use terms that sound like jibberish to someone with little knowledge in that field.
Being an expert in a field and being able to teach that field are 2 completely different things.
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sumptuousdigs1 year ago
BoxMonkey. . That almost begs the question, Do you need to be an expert, to know you need an expert?
The answer may be surprisingly, yes. Most technical or medical issues get bumped up to more refined expert levels as less expert but more broadly skilled examiners make their recommendations. More niche fields such as animal training probably network also.
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sumptuousdigs1 year ago
The proof of the pudding is in the tasting. I am considered an expert in my area of expertise. When my 'talents' are required, the results speak for themselves. I field questions by paraphrasing my technical knowledge. It is very handy to have a little diversity in one's knowledge base. To be outstanding in your field and alone in your field are two different things.
A freelancer without communication skills would do well to have someone else prepare his or her resume, and then explain it to him. LOL
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ETproductions1 year ago
I'm a web developer now, but am also a published author, former consultant and public speaker. I know how to tell people how to do things. But consultants should be paid for their consulting time. I have to constantly fend off do-it-yourselfers who call me on my toll-free line (which costs me good money by the minute) and want hours of free instruction so they can build their website with no help from my company. Needless to say, they don't get very far with that strategy.
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DawudMiracle1 year ago
I understand completely. I got three emails just this week from people wanting me to help them build their business online - for free. Imagine that. How would I make a living for my family if I just gave my time away. Good boundaries have been an important part of my business growth.
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Radiofreeeuropa1 year ago
Though for instance, Stephen Hawking is certainly an expert in advanced physics, he may not be able to be a good communicator. Reminds me of the perennial question "if a tree falls in the forrest and no one is there to hear it...."
Perhaps people with good communication skills are experts by themselves.
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bohtoh1 year ago
I'd say yes. You might be an expert in, say, physics, but not an expert in communication. That's where those two should team up.
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selfsearcher1 year ago
If I know something well, I can allways share my knowledge even in a "more understandable way" (when i talk with my parents or my friends).
A good question is: how many so-called gurus are out there, wanting to share their valuable knowledge with us mortals?
Well, my very humble opinion is: knowledge is power so please understand it before thinking "he wants my secrets". There are no secrets out there! I need only the right people :D :D
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seibukan1 year ago
There are many people who are excellent (experts) in their subject, however, they can't say what they want properly, or they think they don't have enough knowledge yet (a sign of excellence since they still consider themselves as students).
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uncle-dave1 year ago
From the article:
"...Not Knowing Something Makes You More Of An Expert..."
Sometimes that's the predominant theme on some of the threads on Netscape;)
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Shadowolf1 year ago
NEVER call me an Expert...Why???Break it down phonetically:
An EX is a has-been...and a spert is just a drip under a lot of pressure!!!
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