The following blog post was written in response to a presentation by Shawn Rhodes, a top-20 Toastmasters International speaker and business and leadership consultant, about the importance of employee engagement and the success of a company by becoming better in everything that you do.
Think of the experts in your field, or think of the experts that you readily know in other fields. Imagine the Bill Gates’, the Payton Manning’s, the Meryl Streep’s, the Warren Buffett’s, the Annika Sorenstam’s, and the Neil deGrasse Tyson’s of the world. These people have all reached the pinnacle of their respective fields, from business to sports to entertainment and to science. But what makes them any different from the average individual in that same industry?
As you will soon discover, there are three important ways experts differentiate themselves from other people doing the same things you do. Obviously, hard work, luck, timing, and perseverance all have their hand in elevating an individual to expert status. However, some of these factors may be out of your control at times. Instead, focus on these controllable ways to set yourself apart from the pack.
Results
The first – and best – way to distinguish yourself as an expert is to produce results. You must not only be able to produce in the short-term, but in the long-term as well. So called ‘one hit wonders’ are not considered experts. Those that produce high quality, better-than-expected work almost every time are the ones that deserve the moniker expert.
Each one of the named people in the opening paragraph have produced results time and time again. Bill Gates successfully started and grew one of the largest hardware and software companies in the world. Payton Manning elevated himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the National Football League both on and off the field. Meryl Strep consistently produced award-winning work every time she appeared on screen. Warren Buffet is simply known as an ‘oracle’ for being the best value investor of all time. Annika Sorenstam left her mark on the on the LPGA tour by winning more majors and more tournaments that any other woman golfer. Finally, Neil deGrasse Tyson showcased how scientists can also turn into rock stars.
Simply put, results matter.
Research
Anyone working in any field can produce high-quality work every now and then. The key for an expert to produce topnotch work on a consistent basis is for them to know and study their craft. Research isn’t all about holing yourself up in a library, pouring hours and hours into textbooks. Research is all about learning new perspectives, taking chances and risks, and honing your craft.
Going back to the examples in the opening paragraph, Bill Gates spent years tinkering on his computers and software until he found the best product to sell to the masses. Then, he continuously tweaked his products to make them better and more appealing (almost) every time.
Payton Manning is legendary for the amount of time he spends watching game film of his opponents and studying the playbook. He knows every assignment on every play for not only himself, but for every player on his team and every player on the other team. There’s a reason players spend six days practicing and one day playing in the game.
Before Meryl Streep steps foot in front of the camera, she knows everything there is to know about her character. And not just what her character will say, but what her character should feel and think about other things that are happening both on and off screen with her character. Audiences respond when they sense her emotions through her actions and not just her words.
The Oracle of Omaha, better know as Warren Buffett, can spend months or even years pouring through thousands of financial documents and management strategies of a company before deciding to buy or a sell a company. No one understands better than he does what fundamentals of a company make it the perfect acquisition.
If a great round of golf can be accomplished in under 70 strokes, Annika Sorenstam knows she must practice every one of those 70 strokes 700,000 times. Golf is not so much of a sport that relies on athleticism as it does near flawless repetition. For anyone who has ever played golf, hitting one, five or ten great shots on one particular day is easy. Hitting 70 perfect shots seven days a week makes you an expert.
Lastly, Neil deGrasse Tyson did not stumble upon becoming America’s favorite astrophysicists simply by passing a college physics classes. Neil spent years not only learning and surrounding himself with the top experts in his field, but he also taught the masses about astrophysics. Ask any teacher and they’ll tell you that they learned more about a topic by teaching it than by being the student.
To put it another way, an expert understands the more they do their homework the better the results on their tests will be.
Role Model
The last – and sometimes most challenging – way to make yourself an expert is to be a role model to those who aspire to be like you. There are several experts in their fields who have accomplished great results and have dedicated themselves to their craft. However, when it comes time for those to follow their lead, these so called experts fail.
For every Payton Manning there is a Tiger Woods. For every Meryl Streep there is a Charlie Sheen. And for every Warren Buffet there is a Bernie Madoff. These unfortunate examples, while great in certain regards, fail to live up to the highest of expectations of becoming a role model for others. An expert must make it his or her mission to not only produce great work but to also be a great person.
When studying the lives of experts, you will notice that several of them are products are great timing, luck, hard work, and exceptional perseverance. But, while some of these traits are sometimes out of our control, the best way to become an expert is to focus on the things you can control. Of these things, the three greatest ways to become an expert are to produce consistently great results all the time; to continuously hone and evolve your craft to make it better; and to make your life and your life’s work for the betterment of those around you. If you can do those three things, you are well on your way to becoming an expert.
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