Many people call themselves "Experts" in different Topics.
But, is it Really True?
What does it actually take to become an Expert?
Well, it will depend on what you mean by "Expert".
If you have a definition that means someone who knows something, then in a way we are all "Experts".
We all know "Something" about "Something".
However, I find this to be an extremely Shallow definition of "Expert" and defeats the Idea of what an Expert should be useful for in the world.
In a more "Technical" definition of an Expert, they are someone who has comprehensive and authoritative knowledge of or skill in a particular area.
But we can take this further by asking what "authoritative knowledge of or skill in" means.
I believe the two closest definitions of authoritative are a person having power or control in a particular sphere, and the power to influence others.
With these Ideas combined, I would say that a True Expert is someone whose knowledge and/or skills give them the ability to influence and shape (or reshape) industries.
If you are not Impacting the Industry as a whole, then you aren't being Recognized as an Expert in the Industry.
So then, what does it take to become an Expert like this?
Well, if you think that taking a class or getting a certification will make you an Expert, think again.
I have known many people who have taken certifications or gone through college.
I, myself, have gotten many certifications and have gone through college.
I can tell you, for a fact, that most certifications and classes are nearly worthless and absolutely do Not make anyone an Expert.
At best, I would say that most of them would put you at the Proving Stage of a Quality Career.
So what does it take to become a True Expert?
Before you can become an Expert, you must Study the Experts that Exist.
Currently, the easiest way to Study Experts is to first Read their Books.
But how many?
Well, many "True" Experts say that you need to read 10 "Well-Chosen" Books to Understand the Current "Expert Consensus".
So, does reading 10 "Perfect" Books (which is unlikely to happen as many industries are filled with Junk Books), make you an Expert?
No!
That only allows you to Understand the Current "Expert Consensus".
This does not give you the Authority to Influence the Industry!
At best, this would put you in the Realm of Mastery, or at least close to it.
I believe that there is one issue with Books though.
Often, Books (even at the highest levels) are simply Overviews of a Topic that reference Materials which are the "Deep Dives".
You'll see this in many books that use small, little numbers that reference other books and research.
Essentially, you are getting an Expert's Opinion of the Industry based on their Research.
So, if you want to Truly become an Expert, you must Understand what those Referenced Materials Say.
Why?
Sometimes those who are recognized as the Experts today have Wrong Interpretations of the Referenced Material, or have Biased Opinions and Conflicts of Interest.
However, you likely won't discover those types of things from Reading their Books (It wouldn't be in the interest of Book Sales to Reveal These).
You can only discover them by going deeper into the Referenced Books and Research.
But let's say you do this.
Are you an Expert now?
Probably Not.
Why?
It is because you don't yet Fully Understand the Dissenting Opinions within the Industry.
In just about Every Industry there are the Experts who have a similar Consensus, and then there are others who Disagree with those Experts.
Sometimes these others are Experts themselves and have amazing Evidence against the Current Consensus.
Other times there are Flaws in these Dissenting Opinions.
However, you will Not Know the Difference until you Understand the Dissenting Opinions first.
To Truly Understand the Dissenting Opinions, you will have to do Deep Dives into them, just like you did with the Consensus Opinion.
Now, with all of this Information, are you now a True Expert?
Nope!
To Truly be an Expert, you must also have a Platform from which to Influence the Industry.
Without a Platform, you have no way to Influence to become Recognized as a True Expert.
Until you can Influence the Industry, you remain a Master with a lot of great Information about the Industry.
Now, a Platform can be Many things.
Books, Articles, Podcasts, Shows, and more.
Whatever it is though, it must grow in size to actually Impact the Industry.
This is how you become a True Expert.
If you are missing any of these Components, you will not be a True Expert.
You must Understand the Differing Opinions of an Industry, in Depth, and be able to Discuss them with Authority within a Platform where you Influence the Industry.
If you Do Not Deeply Understand the Expert Consensus, you are Not a True Expert.
If you Do Not Deeply Understand the Dissenting Opinions, you are Not a True Expert.
If you Do Not have a Platform from which you Influence the Industry with Your Beliefs, you are Not a True Expert.
However, I think there is one last thing to leave this Topic off on.
I do Not Believe that an "Expert" is the Height of a Career.
Why?
An Expert can stay Fairly Stagnant over their Career.
Where at one time they may be a part of the Consensus, the Industry can Grow or Change and they may become the Dissenting Opinion.
They may still be Recognized as an Expert, with some Influence, but they may Lose Significant Potency over time by Failing to Grow, Adapt, and become Better.
This is where I believe that a Sage is a Greater Goal within an Industry.
The Sage is the one who truly Shapes the Industry Overall, and continues to Grow over Time.
They begin to Create and Innovate within the Industry and are Recognized for Accomplishing this with Great Success.
They are not only Experts, but also Artists and Scientists within their work, overcoming the current boundaries of the Industry and Striving toward Better Things.
Through this, they Design New Consensus among Experts and Challenge the Industry to New Heights.
That should be the Goal we aim for in our Careers.