3 Ways To Be An Expert, Without Being A Know-It-All

The method I use to go from zero knowledge to subject matter expert in a few weeks

Image created by author using DALL-E

Anyone can sound like an expert these days.

With AI tools like ChatGPT, you're just a prompt away from detailed analysis on almost any topic.

But true expertise isn't about what you can look up. It's about how you connect new information with your own real-world experience. It's the difference between reading about riding a bike and actually keeping your balance as you pedal.

That personal experience – your successes, your failures, your "aha" moments – that's what makes your expertise uniquely valuable.

“If you’ve read the book, you’re an expert” - Every consultancy, everywhere

Looking back to the beginning of my career, when junior consultants first joined the practice, they often fell into a common trap: frantically reading the latest business bestseller the night before meeting a client.

In reality, this was the furthest thing from true expertise you can imagine, saved only by the fact that busy executives rarely have time to read these books themselves.

The messy work of bridging theory and practice.

Like a skilled craftsperson, great consultants learn which tools work in which situations. They discover that theoretical frameworks, while useful, rarely map perfectly onto real-world challenges. The art lies in adaptation and judgment.

Think of it like cooking: You can read every recipe book in existence, but true mastery comes from understanding why certain ingredients work together, how to adjust for different conditions, and when to break the "rules." The most valuable insights often live in that gap between textbook knowledge and practical application.

This principle extends far beyond consulting.

In any field, peak performance requires developing deep expertise and robust systems. This expertise becomes our unique value proposition – our way of contributing meaningfully to society and markets.

And there's a beautiful feedback loop at play: The more we develop and share our expertise, the more fulfilled we feel.

This sense of purpose and mastery makes it easier to achieve flow states, because we:

1. Reduce our cognitive load through deliberate practice

2. Make better decisions under pressure through easier pattern recognition

3. Recover quickly from setbacks by adjusting strategies

4. Develop mental models that can be used in complex and dynamic situations

5. Improve our confidence through reducing hesitation and self-doubt

6. Actively seek out feedback and act on it

Expertise creates a foundation that makes optimal performance more sustainable and repeatable. Without it, our peak performance levels are likely to be inconsistent and reliant on external conditions rather than internal mastery.

So how can you bridge the gap between theory and practice in your own work?

Throughout my consulting career I’ve used a simple 3 step process to go from zero knowledge to being known as a subject matter expert and having better conversations with my clients. Here’s what works for me:

Learn the Theory and the Lingo

Whether it’s a new topic or a new client, the theory comes first.

I seek out whatever books and papers I can on the subject, including those with opposing views. I look for the prominent figures in that subject matter and understand what they think.

Action: Read, absorb, and make notes. Keep an eye out for any irregularities or things that don’t add up (you’ll need these for step three).

Apply the Theory in Practice

At this point, I look for activities where I can apply the theory. They might not necessarily be related to the client's task, but at this stage, any experience will offer useful data points.

Action: Get hands-on and decipher how the theory works in a real-life environment. Which bits work and which don't?

Add Personal Insight to the Practice

Bob may have done a great job of implementing topic X into a particular type of industry, but the problem is that I'm not Bob. I don't know what challenges he faced, or what went better than expected.

Instead, I have to find my own way. For me, this looks like answering the question "What can I do to improve the theory based on the practical knowledge that I have now gained?" It's really about creating my personal point of view on the topic.

Action: Find a unique angle that you can bring to this topic from your wealth of personal experience. Look for ways to bring your own unique perspective to the table.

Repeat

This is a continuous cycle that never stops. New information keeps emerging, and the challenge becomes staying up to date with it all.

A Golden Opportunity Exists Right Now

AI is this century’s golden opportunity to flex your expertise muscles.

That’s why this week I’m running a masterclass on how to become an authority on AI within your own workplace, and even your industry - fast.

I’ll walk you through in detail, how this proven consulting method can be applied to AI to help you go from basic knowledge to a recognised AI leader within your workplace or industry.

The class opens on Friday 28th February. Once you place your order, it will be sent to you via email as soon as it’s ready.

To celebrate my birthday (for this week only) the masterclass will be available for $37. The price will go up to $97 on 3rd March.

This Masterclass is Perfect for You if You Want to:

💡 Become the go-to AI expert in your workplace (and industry)

🎯 Transform AI from a threat into your career superpower

⚡️ Implement AI solutions that create real business impact

🔄 Build systems that showcase your AI expertise

🚀 Scale your professional value in the AI era

💻 Never worry about AI making you obsolete

As a reward for those that sign up this week before the 3rd March, you’ll also get access to these bonuses:

Exclusive Bonuses Include ($197 value):

📋 The AI Tool Evaluation Template

📱 The 30-Day AI Authority Implementation Calendar

✅ A Step-By-Step Guide to Prompting That Improves Outputs By 300%

📈 20 Years' Experience in Process Improvement Distilled Into a Simple Easy To Follow Framework

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To celebrate my birthday (for this week only) the masterclass will be available for $37. The price will go up to $97 on 3rd March.

I’m also offering some birthday love with 40% off my 2 Hour Efficiency Supercharger and the 90 minute Work Life Balance Cheatcode courses with the discount code BIRTHDAYLOVE - only available until Monday 3rd March.

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-Selda

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