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How To Reveal Your Expertise Without Sounding Like A Pompous Ass
Let’s suppose you’re discussing business with a coworker. You’re an expert in the mechanics of stock options. He’s the novice. The novice craves the opportunity to show his stuff.
“Okay, let me explain what an option is so you understand what I’m talking about,” he said.
“I know what an option is. I grew up in this business.”
I witnessed an exchange like this yesterday. Even without the benefit of tonality and body language, you can sense the expert’s annoyance. Now imagine the expert stretching out the word “know” in this sentence.
“I know what an option is.”
Next, picture the expert slapping her hand on the table as she said the phrase.
Three seconds of silence followed her response. It felt like an eternity. The novice is a twenty-something in his first job out of college. The expert fought her way through twenty years of experience.
Was her response a bit heavy handed? Maybe.
Here’s the point.
The novice did not intend to show up or embarrass the expert. He was trying to show his stuff. It came across as pompous and insulting.
