One of the reasons I absolutely love blogging is that real value comes through the discussion in the comments. Yesterday I wrote a post that spurred a great conversation both on Twitter and in comments and we collectively figured out some of the problems. In this post I want to address one of the problems – how do you define expert?
I’ll keep this short and sweet… Here is how I define an expert…
- Always learning
- A thought leader who invokes discussion and teaches others
- A community leader whose goal is to raise collective awareness
- Results oriented, not jargon oriented
How about you? How do you define an expert?
Let us know in the comments…
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Andy,
I think it is interesting that in your definition of an expert you don’t mention ANYTHING about their knowledge base or skills or their ability to apply said knowledge or skills. To me an expert has:
-deep and thorough knowledge of the particular domain they are said expert in
-proven track record of success in given field either directly or through advising others
The things you list are all things I would like to see in an expert but I don’t think they are requirements for it. The first three points in fact are more about a “leader” to me than an expert. Example. the plumber that fixes your pipes when no one else can, do they have to have a plumbing blog, twitter account, and host conferences for you to call them an expert?
-chris
@strangedesign
@Chris Great points! Re: your plumber comment (which I love as an example)… To me a plumbing expert is always learning new things, shares that knowledge with their community (doesnt have to be an online community), raises awareness surrounding their knowledge – both inside their “plumber circle” and outside via customer interaction. And best of all – when they fix a pipe, it doesn’t break again … Results.
Regarding knowledge – i totally agree and i think that my requirements presuppose deep knowledge of your field. I guess that’s not clear… Here are is an addendum to my requirements…
5. Deep knowledge of subject domain
6. Passion for the subject matter of which you are an expert
“An expert, more generally, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability in a particular area of study.” – Wikipedia entry for “Expert.”
I believe the problem here (as relating to “expert” ) is that most of the people on twitter also know how to use MANY other social networks and online communities. So really, most of the people on twitter are in fact “social media experts.”
Also, the handful of people that come to read your blog post here are not going to collectively agree to change the meaning of the word expert. So, the obvious solution is to change the phrase. Pick a new title. Try something better like “social media facilitator.” (though I personally love social media guru.. it’s SO fitting)
Check out the wikipedia entry for facilitator: fhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facilitator
I respect your opinion there, I just think the social leadership/knowledge sharing and being an expert are mutually exclusive. Another example, is James Laube of Wine Spectator not an expert because he only writes a column in a magazine vs @garyvee who is everywhere? Or would @nathantwright STOP being an expert if he got busy and had to disengage from his social and online communities?
I agree that what you require is what many people would in their expert, I am only positing that one can be a true expert on a subject without having to be a thought leader and in the public eye.
-chris
@strangedesign
@chris i don’t think they have to be in the public eye at all… there is more to community than social networks. a community can be 4 guys who have a beer together after they work all day
@ScottT It’s completely subjective.. that’s why I’m hoping my handful of readers chime in. thanks
The simplist answer is often best:
An expert is anyone with a demonstrably high degree of knowledge and/or skill in a given area.
Anything else is personal preference, but not requisite. I prefer to learn from those who have “people skills”, but not everyone wants to be a student, and most people simply want the job done by someone who is competent and trustworthy.
Cheers!
Yes I think it is subjective as well… So what do you do?