Can You Share Your Expertise?

I was recently sharing a work of mine with others to get testimonials for a website.  In the process, I had a very interesting comment made about this work.  In the work that I shared, I cited and printed material from others, who wrote about certain topics much better than I could have.

In a nutshell, the comment I received read: "It’s very important that you position yourself (emphasis on YOU) as an expert…(your attributions leave) the reader with the impression that the book is really a compilation of others’ expertise, not your own."

I understand what this reader meant, but I’ll never be the end-all and be-all expert on this topic, and will not pretend to be.  I don’t mind sharing the spotlight, as I truly believe there’s enough business to go around.

The best doctor I ever had was one who claimed not to know all the answers.  As we were discussing my symptoms and treatment during a visit, she said that she wasn’t sure this medication she had in mind could be used in the way we were discussing, so she needed to consult her reference material.  She disappeared into her office for a few moments, got her answer, and we resumed our discussion.  My respect for her increased immensely.  She didn’t take the attitude that so many of my doctors have in the past — the all-knowing, all-seeing God-like omnipotent physician who knows it all.  I had much more respect for her when she acknowledged that she didn’t know it all and needed to look up something for confirmation.

As much expertise as we might possess, we will never know it all. I want to know other experts to whom I can refer others so that they get reliable, accurate information.  The world is abundant, and we all benefit by spreading the wealth.