There are a lot of legitimate experts in the world. There are also a lot of self-proclaimed ones. The term “expert” has taken off in society as a method to one’s worth and stick out. It has become an excuse to justify making noise on social media and drawing attention to one’s brand or business. While I certainly do not want to criticize those who choose this route as I know that this is the world that we currently live in. However, I do want to bring awareness to the dangers of claiming the title of an expert.
That being said, we all want to be associated and work with experts. For example, we all want to have a doctor to is an expert in whatever illness we have. We all want to hire brokers who are experts in the field in which we aren’t. So in this sense, experts are essential. Nevertheless, it is important to understand the difference between actual experts and those who are using the title as a scheme to attract attention.
One thing I have come to realize is nearly all experts have egos. This is not always a bad thing if the person is truly who they claim to be. In any case, the point I am trying to get across is that the moment we claim ourselves as an expert is often the moment where we stop growing. There is nothing wrong with claiming expertise in whatever field you associate yourself with. However, do not let that add to your ego and stunt your personal growth. Being an expert is something we all should strive for. The key is understanding that the process is never-ending. We all want to be associated with people of expertise. Most of us, however, do not want to be associated with the egos of said individuals. It is OK to self-proclaim. In fact, it is often necessary in order to be taken seriously. Just understand that with such proclamation comes a responsibility to remain genuine in your willingness to grow. Don’t let being an expert enlarge your ego.
Swiss-Army Leadership 