Serving with excellence doesn’t mean striving to be an expert. As we experience situations in our daily routines, we are constantly learning. We face circumstances that teach us what TO do and hopefully, what NOT to do. We serve others with our gifts and talents, but is it really possible, as a professional, to be the expert and their partner at the same time?

The truth is… it is not possible.

But before you quit reading since I obviously revealed the answer to this question so quickly, please allow me to explain why we should not wear both hats.

Robert Chen, in his article The Downside of Being an Expert says it is downright dangerous to call ourselves “experts” or adopt an “expert mindset”.  He states that this point of view is not healthy for us because we think we may have learned everything there is to know in our area of expertise.

Your customers and the people you lead depend on you to know how to help them. How do you then balance the fine line of remaining humble and being smart at the same time? Is it possible for others to consider you a professional or their leader if you don’t consider yourself that way?

I believe there are 3 ways to remain humble while being a leader:

  1. Be a great listener
  2. Selectively interject
  3. Allow actions to be the proof

Being a great listener means hearing not only what they say, but what they don’t say. Their body language, tone of voice and inflection may be showing you they want to help in the process too. Of course, what they are saying may not work at all in solving any problems, but if you just give them time to talk by being a great listener, you are showing them you are not claiming to be the expert at that moment.

After training yourself to be a great listener, learn how to selectively interject your thoughts and ideas. This can prove difficult in some situations, depending on the person you are dealing with. Take a moment to pause and show them that you took some time pondering over their ideas and then try responding with a question. For example, “I’m impressed and can tell that you have given this a lot of thought. (Pause) What would you think about taking your idea and trying this?” You see, stating your solution in the form of a question after restating one or two of their ideas allows them to be the expert; not you.

After you both made some decisions together, this proves the partnership will work. Allow actions to now be the proof. Remember, you are still driving the boat, but they are feeling very empowered and “heard”.  Now it’s time to prove your value to them. As the old adage goes, actions speak louder than words. This is where you can use the expertise you have in your toolbox, without calling yourself an expert. I love the proverb, underpromise and overdeliver, when it comes to working with people. It proves your worth and builds trust.

As you can see, people don’t desire to work with a “know-it-all”, but they do expect you to listen to them and use your expertise to help them get from the place they are now to the place they want to be. Show them you care by being a professional partner who just happens to be great in your line of work.

Sources

Chen, Robert “The downside of being an expert.” Lifehack.org (blog) https://www.lifehack.org/299242/the-downside-being-expert

“Actions speak louder than words.” 17th century proverb