Let's Talk Expertise

On Being an "Expert"

I had the opportunity last week to present a session at DataSaturdays Stockholm. I can't say enough nice things about the event and the organizers. I presented on Query Store in SQL Server. In my mind, it's an entry-level to middle tier presentation. Most of the room was already working with Query Store, some quite extensively. To say I was a little surprised they'd come to hear me give a mid-level talk was an understatement. Happily, there was a lot of engagement from the audience. Fantastic questions. So good were the questions, that a few times, my answer was a pretty simple, "I don't know."

Yeah, yeah. I'm supposed to be an "expert." I helped write a book on Query Store. So that means I know it all, right?

Nope.

In fact, I picked up a couple of bits of information from the event. I even had one of the attendees contact me afterwards to share some more information I didn't know.

What the heck kind of "expert" does that make me?

A pretty normal one.

Without naming names, there was a moment once when I was standing next to one of THE experts on SQL Server. I mean a person that most of us know their name, for good reason. Another individual came up and asked a question. No details because I don't want anyone feeling embarrassed. Their response was "I don't know." Now, remember, I'm standing right next to them and I did know the answer. I actually thought it was an easy question. I was flabbergasted. This person was an expert. This person was one of the THE experts. I honestly just thought they knew pretty much everything. Yet, they simply didn't.

No one does.

So, while I know I let down a couple of people at the event in Stockholm because I wasn't able to answer their questions, I honestly don't feel too bad about it. I mean sure, I'd rather help than not. I'd rather have the answer than not. But I know full well, I don't know everything. I also know, however much I am considered to be an "expert," there are people out there who know a lot more than I do. They've spent more time and have dived deeper. They haven't written books and don't fly around the world teaching, but they sure as heck are experts on the topic. With all that in mind, my answer will sometimes be "I don't know."

So I bring this up for two reasons. First, don't be surprised when the "expert" you counted on doesn't have all the answers. Second, don't beat yourself up because you don't have all the answers. None of us do. Just remember, my favorite definition of an expert is a person who is one page ahead of you in a book. They know more than you, right now. But you can catch up and pass them, making you the expert.

Grant Fritchey

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