What is an expert?
We were having a review for this blog a couple weeks ago, and something Ana said bothered me. It bothered me not because she said anything against my view of technique, philosophy or values of martial arts. It bothered me because she was selling herself short.
She said, “I am not an expert, but…..” I’m sorry Ana, but you are an expert, at least according to how I view the word and how corporate America views the word.
To be an expert means to have qualifiable knowledge beyond that of the average individual and to have a firm grasp of the basics of the field. I have been an engineer for 2 years and I am already the expert of a certain field on my team. To become an expert does not require mastery. Ana is a martial arts expert, and so are Anthony and I.
Black Belt = Expert.
Now, are we masters? No… at least not at the time I am writing this article although mastery is something the three of us are striving for. Mastery is having a firm grasp of the intricacies, sciences and linguistics within our technique: knowing how each technique flows with another. Expertise can be technical. Mastery involves professing the art to others while maintaining the expertise. Think of the difference between a project manager and a team manager or supervisor.
Make sure your head still fits through the door, but chances are you are an expert in something if you are reading this article. A master, maybe not, but that should be something you strive for.
