This thought started out, not as one on ‘expertise‘, but self-esteem.
About how mine grew, unfettered but unsupported.
About how my wife’s survived, if somewhat stunted, under harsh criticism.
About how we both intentionally nurtured our daughter’s.
And from an intimate, extended observation/analysis of this over two decades, I’m tempted to share my views.
As an ‘expert‘.
But that’s where the train of my thoughts changed tracks –
To ponder the very issue of ‘expertise’.
What exactly is it?
Just because a mother closely observes her daughter’s wheezing episodes, all the way through childhood and adolescence, it doesn’t make her an expert at lung conditions.
Just because a boss oversees a half dozen employees in his factory, trouble-shooting problems and keeping it productive, it doesn’t make him an expert at business management. Or even personal productivity.
Expertise involves more.
A lot more.
Often, a formal study of a wider range of elements, some only peripherally linked to the core area of specialization.
And a structured learning of foundational concepts in a field or area where you’ll claim to be a specialist.
Even a freshly graduated medical student will offer more scientific advise on treating an infection… than an observant village headman, or savvy housewife, or widely-read retiree.
In other words…
Experience isn’t the same as expertise.
It might add to an expert’s wealth of knowledge.
But won’t substitute for it.
So if I’m to ever author an essay – or book – on boosting self-esteem through a set of strategies, it’ll only be an opinion piece… not an expert treatise.
Too often, this fact is overlooked or ignored.
Indeed, some recommend writing a book as a way to position oneself as a true ‘expert’.
“Look, s/he’s even written a book about it!”
Well, if that book is little more than a puffed up op-ed, why would it reflect expertise?
🤔