Expertise

When we develop our skill in any task, there are two ways to see it.

The first is a selfish, egocentric view. As we become more experienced and proficient at what we do, we begin to see ourselves as experts and authorities on the subject matter. Of course, we feel good about this. We begin to derive a sense of pride and self-worth based on the fact that we are good at something. We gain the esteem and admiration of others, which feeds the ego even more. At some point, it’s no longer about developing the skill at all. It becomes about us. In order to elevate ourselves further, we put others down. We refuse to share our knowledge with others. We do anything to ensure that we remain at the “top”.

Most of us may have come across people who behave like this. They get stuck in their ways and never seem to progress. They refuse to acknowledge the possibility that they might be wrong. They are wary of others in their field who might surpass them, and may go so far as to undermine the efforts of their contemporaries. All this fear stems from an unhealthy obsession with the ego.

But there is a better way.

The second comes from a place of humility. To understand that we are always in the process of learning. That there are people, past and future, who have and will continue to push the envelope further, and that the best we can do is to carry it forward.

The true experts will always regard themselves as disciples. They understand that skills cannot be owned, and are not an exclusive right reserved for a few. They teach and encourage others because they understand that the community would be better off because of it. They remain as the best in their field because and not in spite of their willingness to share, to learn and to listen.

It’s not about you. It’s about doing the task at hand. And doing it well.