Every day, we work with experts. They come from a wide range of professional services backgrounds, from technology to accounting to civil engineering. And there is one thing that we hear a lot. They wish they were better known in the marketplace and in their industry. Fortunately, there is something they—and you, too—can do about it.
We’ve written before about the journey an expert takes from relative obscurity to prominence. We call these individuals Visible Experts®, but you can use any label you wish—thought leader, industry expert, even grand poobah if that floats your boat.
Today, I want to talk about how to think about your expertise. If you want to achieve extraordinary visibility, after all, you can’t be an ordinary expert. You have to stand out in some meaningful way. This may sound daunting at first. But it’s not difficult to achieve. You just need to figure out where your talents lie.
5 Types of Visible Experts
In our best-selling book, The Visible Expert Revolution, we identified five types of Visible Experts:
The Bridge Builder
A Bridge Builder spans two different areas of expertise, connecting ideas from both. This combination of knowledge makes this expert truly unique.
The Laser
This expert is highly specialized in a very specific area. Not many businesses need their services all the time, but when the time comes, this is the preferred choice.
The Curator
A Curator expert gathers the best information from multiple sources. Often, Curators have access to an extensive network of experts.
The First Mover
These individuals are the first to pioneer an area of expertise. Businesses turn to First Movers for the latest innovation or new idea.
The Contrarian
A Contrarian takes novel points of view on industry issues and challenges clients to make bold or unconventional moves.
Chances are, you either fall into one of these camps already or there is one that particularly suits your personality and style. There are, however, some experts who combine aspects of two types. In our book, we tell the stories of many real-world experts who cross these boundaries, including the architect Carl Elefante. Carl is both a bridge builder and a first mover. Here’s how he describes himself:
“I was one of the first architects to merge the disciplines of historic preservation and sustainability. I am changing the way today’s architects think about existing buildings and how to use them in a way that is environmentally sound, inspiring and equitable.”
A Path Forward
Once you’ve figured out what kind of expert you are or want to be, what do you do with that information?
This is where it gets interesting. Now—perhaps for the first time—you have a way to talk about yourself. To define yourself in the marketplace. Or at the very least, you have an important foundation to build upon.
Suppose you are a CPA who is also interested in technology. You may be an excellent Bridge Builder candidate. Even if your knowledge of technology isn’t as deep as your accounting expertise, you can begin shaping your career to include both of those areas. Where do accounting and technology overlap? What are others writing about on the subject? What are the implications for the industry and the clients you serve? And where can you claim an island of your own in this archipelago of ideas?
At this point you are well on your way. You can stand for something. You will have a unique perspective and no end of interesting things to talk and write about. You may not be a Visible Expert® yet, but you are outfitted for the rewarding journey ahead.