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We’re awash in an ocean of experts. You can’t flick on acable news or daytime-talk show without seeing some expert chatting about childpsychology, reducing personal debt, losing weight, the political climate,global warming…etc.
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| Whether It’s Black Diamond Skiing or plumbing – sometimes you need an expert |
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good expert! When I used to be a news reporter, buildingand fostering a strong network of quality experts was an important part of thejob. You needed someone to help placethe events of the day within a proper context for the news consumer at home.
If there was a huge intra-day drop in the stock market, itwas essential to get perspective from a financial investment expert to discusshow that type of event would impact the 401(K)s of Middle America . Or if there was aviolent attack at a high school somewhere in the country, a bona fide newsangle was trying to line up an interview with a local child psychologist whomight offer tips to parents which might help the child work through thetragedy.
Again, I love a good expert!
But when you’re seeking advice regarding a potentiallylife-impacting decision what KIND of expert would you prefer? While there’s a continuum of skill, abilityand knowledge that an expert possesses, the vast majority of experts either tend torely more on their personal “real-world” experience of having gone through thesituation themselves versus experts who may lack first-hand experience but havelearned from others through observation or through education.
Which type of expert are you more pre-disposed to seek ordoesn’t it matter?
I’m well aware that the only answer to that broad a questionis, “It depends on the situation as well as a variety of other factors,” – Iget that. But generally speaking wouldyou prefer an expert that has a lot of head knowledge or hands-on knowledge?
For example, would you prefer a marriage counselor who has ahealthy marriage themselves or one who was divorced and knows that dimension aswell? Would you want to learn weightloss tips from someone who’s lost a lot of pounds or from a perfectly fit trainerwho’s never had a problem with weight? If you’re just starting a business would want advice from someone whomay have run their own business and failed, or would you seek counsel from astart-up consultant who has helped dozens of businesses get off the ground yetlacks day-to-day operations experience?
I’m curious to hear what you think…..
