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Don't Sell Yourself Short: You, Too, Are an Expert
Featured Author:
Shannon Hutton
Shannon Hutton, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a freelance writer, entrepreneur and owner of LinkBloom.com, a consultant firm that helps businesses grow online. She uses her experience and expertise in search engine optimization, affiliate marketing, link building, writing keyword content and website analysis to increase traffic and revenue for select businesses. Shannon applies these same customized business building strategies to promote her site, Playsational.com, where she provides coloring pages to print, easy crafts for kids and giveaways. This website blends both of Shannon’s passions: building an online business and providing fun activities to do with her four daughters!
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More articles from this author:
Shannon Hutton, M.Ed., M.P.A.
I love reading Sara Pennypacker’s “Clementine” books to my girls because I laugh out loud at the antics and musings of this spunky third grader. But while Clementine is amusing, I wasn’t expecting her perspective in “The Talented Clementine” to resonate with me. I mean, come on, it’s been 30 years since I’ve been a third grader! But in this book, Clementine feels she’s the only one in her class who doesn’t have a talent, a skill, something she’s great at. That I can relate to. And based on my conversations with other women, I know I’m not the only woman who feels this way. Why is that?
Women sell themselves short
I don’t know if it’s nature, nurture, or what, but oftentimes women sell themselves short in acknowledging their strengths. Men, on the other hand, don’t seem to have this problem and often portray themselves as experts on a variety of subjects. Women, not so much. Why are we reluctant to consider ourselves experts? Is it because:
• We don’t trust our abilities?
• We don’t want to appear conceited?
• We don’t want someone to try and prove us wrong if we assert our opinion?
• We know there are others who know more than we do on the subject?
• All of the above?
Well, whatever the reason, the time has come for women, including me, to assert ourselves as experts in their chosen field. This, of course, doesn’t mean we become bossy know-it-alls! It means we accept the fact that we’re all experts at something. And yes, that means YOU.
Being an expert doesn’t mean you know more than everyone else.
You may be saying to yourself, but honestly, I’m not an expert! Let me begin by clarifying what “expert” means. According to the dictionary, an expert is “somebody with a great deal of knowledge, skill, training, or experience in, a particular field or activity.” Nowhere does it say an expert is someone who knows more than everyone else on a subject!
Being an expert just means you know a lot about a certain something. And that something could be anything. Personally, I’m an expert at naming what movies obscure actors have been in. That one doesn’t pay the rent, but luckily, I’m also an expert at things that do pay!
We’re all experts at something.
Take the time to reflect on what you do well and become an expert in that. Because like Clementine’s teacher told her, “We’re all great at something.”
After you determine what you’re great at, start portraying yourself as an expert on that subject. How do you do that? Speak up in meetings when the subject is discussed, and speak confidently and maintain good posture and eye contact when doing so.
And when someone challenges what you’re saying, acknowledge their opinion without shying away from yours with a sheepish, “You’re probably right.” While it’s okay to disagree, it’s not okay to surrender your authority.
Being an expert is relative.
Sometimes people will think you’re an expert in something you didn’t even consider. This is because being an expert is relative. In other words, if you know more about something than someone else, you’re an expert to them. If you’re always the one who knows how to fix the photocopier, pretty soon you’ll be considered the “expert” on fixing the photocopier. It doesn’t matter that you’ve never been trained to do it or that you’re not the best photocopier repair person ever. All that matters to them is that you know more about something than they do. So just like Clementine, we all need to remember that we’re great at something!
Beeladee
2 months ago
6 comments
my expertise is in not knowing what I want to be when I grow up. I've been searching for 50 years now. How does one know when they are really good at something? What I know or do, I presume others know or do too, and I'm not that unique. Still don't know what makes me special, or how "great at something" I am. Open to advice/suggestions.
sss420
3 months ago
60 comments
so how exactly does one sell oneself sucessfully?
JAS
3 months ago
28 comments
We all have something great to offer. SELL YOURSELF! (Just do it w/o overly cocky b.s. & w/o lying! ) And there's nothing wrong with being a housewife....your kids need you too, just as much. Just as long as it's all agreed upon with husband in the relationship as a whole. Not like below...where the 28 yr. old has her toddler in preschool and still doesn't work. I don't get that. But anywhoo. EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING GREAT TO OFFER!
JAS
3 months ago
28 comments
This message may offend some. However...please just keep in mind that it does NOT pretain to all women. Here it goes: I know a female who is 28 and instead of working to support herself, she goes from guy to guy in relationship after realationship...getting money, using guys. She isn't the most attractive, nor best personality...so she plays "victim" to get what she wants in life instead of going back to work, or school for a prper education. I grew up in far worse situations than she could and so far has never even been in nor seen the worse. This comment is for women like her because I am sick of excuses from her and girls not women but girls like her. Since a real woman would act grown and make better choices and not put themselves into some of the hasty situations she has. So for women like her (not that I think any are online here on this website, but....I am sure we strong females on this website know a few that to become strong and not give b.s....so for those women that are like that out there...those Women need to quit the bull crap excuses, stop having the man support you if you don't have kids, aren't sick or pregnant and can still work...Women need to be smarter, save money, gain independence and realize that no one even your man, husband is here for your survival only...he wasn't put here on Earth just for you, nor his piggy bank or check book. Women need to realize this and learn INDEPENDENCE! My fiance' and I get along great and I believe most of it is because we pay for our own things and there is no bull shit in our realationship...we tell it like it is and call it out when it needs to be. We joke alot too, and are sarcastic. So this isn't for everyone and it may not work for all....but I pay for my own things when I want and I get what I want because I pay for it myself and don't have to argue or wait for it. And he gets what he wants same. We go half and half when needed. It provides healthy relations. But again, this is just opinion and may not work for all. I don't have kids and if I did I know I would be there for them until they are a little older than toddlers where if something happend they could call and tell me. I don't like to stay at home too much so I like outdoors and work. So stay at home mom is slightly outta question for me. So again...WOMEN=INDEPENDENCE...it is gained and learned...not given. If you are a strong woman and know a woman who is opposite...let her know so she can regain her strength or quit her sherades! Either or, it's up to the individual on how they'd say it, and who they'd say it to. But I know everyone out there knows at least one female who sponges! Not cool ladies and no, it's not okay! But to all the ladies here on WOMEN Co: YOU ROCK & U ALL R AWESOME! I know this is an empowering website so I know that a large majority of the females here are here to better help themselves and gain career knowledge, job skills & network. So KuDdOs to all here! :)
JAS
3 months ago
28 comments
I think the truth on this is simply this: Men aren't always experts...men just know how to bullshit there ways a lot....so it works for them...compared to more honest females....women are intrigiuing and more passionate people, in general but men just need to get the job done and women need more time and logic s in... and some times men give out a lot of excueses when they can't get their way or feel demasculated when women figure it all out on their own. As a female, I think one of the many reasons why we sell ourselves short is because some believe it's a mans world, we should stay on the sidelines & play Betty Crocker housewife b.s...then there is also we just don't know, haven't been taught, shown, learned or lack of concern or care or just laziness or fear of success, then there is also men trying to "keep us in place"...keep us in "check" so we don't move up and stay put. These are just things I've already observed from simple people watching. But my fiance' Larry & I agree...not all is bad in this world...it is up to you whether male or female, to have enough balls to get the job done! Without lying, and overly cocky, or totally insecure...just be yourself and be honest! Confidence~key!
Account Removed
3 months ago
Amen! This article is right on! I completely agree with the statement that we are unaware of our abilities or lack confidence to show them. Before a drastic life change for myself- I found myself asking so many of those same questions.
MsLang107
3 months ago
36 comments
“We’re all great at something.” --- So TRUE!!!
Insightful Article!!!
DancingQueen
7 months ago
68 comments
Shannon is spot on in this article! What a healthy reminder - we all can be experts in something. Keep it up ladies.
EstherZ
9 months ago
118 comments
Thank you. great..couldn't agree more..
DeniseDC
9 months ago
2 comments
Great confidence boosting article
Heres_Hoping08
10 months ago
36 comments
In addition to your "expert" comments, there's an old joke: An expert is someone from more than 50 miles away. lol People in your location don't expect anyone around them to be a famous expert.
jvaughns
10 months ago
2 comments
This article has restored the confidence I need to help me get back on my feet! I have recently been released from my position after 11 years due to corporate downsizing and it has left me feeling and thinking "what I am good at"?
I now clearly know that I am an EXPERT in my line of work and hopefullysomeone out there will recognize that I have alot to offer and organization. Thanks for the boost!
plogan721
11 months ago
16 comments
Thank you. I love this article, and i needed this advise.
EileenN
11 months ago
2 comments
Very helpful, and true. I especially liked that you addressed the fact that you will be challenged in your opinion, and how to handle the situation. Oftentimes this is where I falter, and your advice is right on the money, literally. Also, please note that one has to be careful what you are the expert on: being an expert on fixing the copier can translate into keeping you in a support position. Honing skills and being an expert in skills that offer upward mobility is key.
DebBrownson
11 months ago
4 comments
I especially liked the idea of building confidence in women! Its true...we are all good at something, but we tend to underestimate that too often! Use it ladies!