If You Are An Expert Should You Advertise You Are?

Are you an expert?  And if you are, is it self-proclaimed or do others acknowledge you as such? I recently was engaged in a listserv conversation regarding expert status and whether you should advertise you are an expert.  I personally have a problem with this because I believe 'expert status' is conferred upon you by those who have deemed you to be such, not self-described. Others believe you should absolutely tell clients you are an expert.  Turns out we are both right...to a degree.

What is an expert? According to Wikipedia:

An expert (Audio (US) (help·info)) is someone widely recognized as a reliable source of technique or skill whose faculty for judging or deciding rightly, justly, or wisely is accorded authority and status by their peers or the public. An expert, more generally, is a person with extensive knowledge or ability in a particular area of study. Experts are called in for advice on their respective subject, but they do not always agree on the particulars of a field of study. An expert can be, by virtue of training, education, profession, publication or experience, believed to have special knowledge of a subject beyond that of the average person, sufficient that others may officially (and legally) rely upon the individual's opinion. Historically, an expert was referred to as a sage. The individual was usually a profound philosopher distinguished for wisdom and sound judgment.

And it appears it is in fact a status given to you by others as in the definition it states, "accorded authority and status by their peers or the public."

But there is more to it and in a large sense the person I debated was also correct. When you are practicing law you are separating yourself from others with extensive knowledge and ability from those without your knowledge or skill set, the layperson. 

Germain's scale

Marie-Line Germain (Germain, 2006) developed a measure of perception of employee expertise called the Generalized Expertise Measure (GEM). She also found that there is a behavioral dimension found in "experts", in addition to the dimensions suggested by Swanson and Holton (2001). The 16-item scale contains objective expertise items and subjective expertise items. Objective items (the first 5 items of the measure below) were named Evidence-Based items. Subjective items (the remaining 11 items from the measure below) were named Self-Enhancement items because of their behavioral component.

1. This person has knowledge that is specific to his or her field of work.
2. This person shows that they have the education necessary to be an expert in his/her field.
3. This person has knowledge about his/her field.
4. This person has the qualifications required to be an expert in his/her field.
5. This person has been trained in his or her area of expertise.
6. This person is ambitious about their work in the company.
7. This person can assess whether a work-related situation is important or not.
8. This person is capable of improving himself or herself.
9. This person is charismatic.
10. This person can deduce things from work-related situations easily.
11. This person is intuitive in the job.
12. This person is able to judge what things are important in his/her job.
13. This person has the drive to become what he or she is capable of becoming in his/her field.
14. This person is self-assured.
15. This person has self-confidence.
16. This person is an expert who is outgoing.

In this scale there are behavioral components which, in order to be deemed an expert, actually require you recognize certain traits within yourself and a natural result of recognizing these traits is to proclaim yourself an 'expert.' (But in my opinion, not in those words...and certainly not in violation of any advertising rules governing your jurisdiction such as calling yourself a 'specialist'.)

So, how does this relate to practicing law and letting people know you are an authority in what you do? Give your colleagues and the public at large the information and tools they need to advertise your expertise status for you.  Build up your credentials in any area you feel passion about.  As you are bettering yourself (#8) let others know the manner in which you are improving yourself.  Be charismatic, self-assured, self-confident and outgoing (not afraid to share your knowledge when asked or in an authoritative format such as your webpresence/blog) #s 9, 14, 15, 16.

Your law degree already gives you #1-5 and as you start to gain experience in your chosen practice areas you can further amplify your authority in your field.

Now for the million dollar question: should you describe yourself as an 'expert?"  Not in my opinion.  That would be a really big mistake.  Don't take away the power and generosity of your colleagues and your client's to bestow that title upon you through testimonials, if it is appropriate, but more importantly, through positive word of mouth referrals.  Make it impossible for them not to start referring to you as an 'expert.'  The best compliments come from others not from patting ourselves on the back.  We can be confident and engaging, forever improving our skill set and impart knowledge when we talk or share with others. However, lead others to the conclusion you are an expert, but let them make the pronouncement.  You'll be glad you did.

If you have an opinion or experience with this topic, please share.

You can read more about 'what is an expert?" here.

Comments

[Heather Sunderman]

I agree with the post that you probably should not be calling yourself an expert, in fact it is prohibited in my home state of Maryland. It puts attorneys in a difficult place when a new potential client calls and asks if you are an expert in child custody, for example. Everyone wants his or her lawyer to be an expert!
An interesting thought: I have, however, been qualified and testified as an expert witness by the court in the area of family law...somehow I doubt that would save me if the Attorney Grievance Commission came knocking.

[Susan Cartier Liebel]

Heather, it is an interesting discussion. And you are right when you say most jurisdictions prohibit you calling yourself such. However, I don't believing listing your credentials which specifically state you have been qualified by the court as an expert in family law qualifies as you calling yourself are an expert. Therin lies the difference. Others have accorded you this title. And if potential clients call you and ask, would you be prohibited from saying this if,in fact, you have been? It may seem like semantics but, again, it is others who have bestowed this recognition upon you. Thank you for your commentary and continuing the discussion.