Who are the experts?
Summary: "Expert" is a term that can mean many things - what do we mean when we says subject matter experts? How can you tell if you are one?
Written by Alistair Gordon 26 Jul 2022

Are you an expert? Even if you don’t think you are?

Any domain of knowledge will have its experts.

You will find subject matter experts across all functions of organizations, from customer service to risk management, information technology to finance, engineering to science, and sales to human resources.

Experts typically have most, if not all, of the following attributes. They:

  • Are widely recognized as a reliable source of knowledge, technique, or skill that is demonstrably greater than their stakeholders.

  • Have a proven track record of success in applying this knowledge to real-world problems and opportunities.

  • Judgment and insight which are accorded authority and status by the public or their peers. Insights are typically reinforced with facts, data and evidence.

  • Have prolonged or intense experience through practice and education in a particular field with recognized qualifications and credentials.

  • Have an identity which is focused on a very specific area of detailed knowledge, where they have developed depth over breadth. 

  • Are costly and difficult for the organization to replace.

  • Very often don’t actually believe they are experts, but everyone else around them does.

Is your job title on our list?

On our programs, we have had experts with over 600 different job titles, for every industry you can imagine. Want to see if your job title is here?

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