I always say that one of the best things about being an EA is that we don’t have to be an expert in everything. We just have to be familiar enough with a broad set of topics and then bring everything together in a strategic way.
With that in mind, check out this TED Talk about When To Use Experts (and when NOT to). The video is somewhat dated (I’m guessing 2008-2011 timeframe based on the references used) but helped me think about the role and importance of proper domain expertise in EA conversations.
Whether you see yourself as an expert or must respond to your (internal/external) client’s request to bring expertise to a conversation, this talk explains an interesting perspective that might change how you see your role in those conversations.
My top takeaways:
- When listening to advice from an expert, our brain’s decision-making areas naturally “shut off”.
- Be ready to take experts on – prepare yourself to get the most out of their expertise (e.g. speak the language, get a foundational understanding before the meeting, etc.)
- Be a rebel about the expert’s assumptions / methodologies. Exercise “managed dissent”.
