Saturday, February 8, 2014

EXPERTS vs EXPERTISE

A respected mentor once told me there are no experts, only serious students . . . S.L.


To this day I never refer to myself as an expert of any particular subject or field.

When approached to examine a problematic situation, I inwardly wince when I hear someone introduce me as the "subject matter expert". It seems that everyone immediately expects a miraculous solution to whatever dilemma faces them. It's almost like being set up for failure, especially if the options are the lesser of two evils.


As a seasoned security professional I bring a wide scope of knowledge and experience to any team. In fact, the more I know and do, the less respect I have for the term "expert". Personally, I prefer to be referred to as a "problem solver".


Interested to hear from others on this . . .

STORMBRINGER SENDS

9 comments:

  1. An "expert" is a man (or woman) who knows a little more about the problem than you do, who has a briefcase and who lives at least 100 miles away.

    Or....

    "Expert" is a composite word, from "ex-" as in, "used to be" plus "spurt", as in water escaping from a valve. So "expert" equates to "a has-been drip, under pressure".

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  2. I always refer to myself s a "Trained Professional".

    My biz card offers Free Advice.

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  3. Unlike yourself,there are,unfortunately,plenty of people who like to be considered an "expert".....I generally find that the person standing a little way behind them with the faintest of smiles on their face is the one who will have the answers I require!!
    A wise man knows there is always more to learn.

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  4. I generally find true experts hard to find, in this business, they know enough to look as grey and "ordinary" as one can be...

    "nothing to see here...move along..."

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  5. Sometimes so called "experts" don't know sh*t. And sometimes they know everything about the theory of the subject but have no idea how to put it into use.

    Just saying...

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  6. Must have had the same teacher, because I always refer to myself as a life time student. People who stop learning are dangerous to everyone around them!!!!

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  7. I didn't even read the post. I'm just salivating over the equipment in the Pelican case.

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