EPISODE 119
Instant expertise
(just add experience)
It’s easy to find yourself thrust into a position where others regard you as an ”expert”, but what really constitutes expertise? Do you have it? Can it be acquired? When will you feel like you have it? (And why feeling like an expert should be a warning sign…)
What makes an expert? Are you one? Do your friends or your employer consider you one? How does one go about seeking expertise? Relatedly, it’s a big and confusing internet out there and every day you are confronted with people who claim to be experts. Jim and Mike have some tips for separating the expert wheat from the poser chaff, especially when that purported expert is in the mirror.
Links:
Talent is Overrated by Geoff Colvin
The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle
The Culture Code: The Secrets of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle
The Art of Learning: An Inner Journey to Optimal Performance by Josh Waitzkin
Research study
How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer
The Invisible Gorilla: How our Intuitions Deceive Us by Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simmons
From Beginner to Expert by Patricia Benner
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT
Recent Episodes
Don’t stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves
Mike talks about tensions such as balancing officer safety with legal justification, the false tradeoff between sound tactics and the pursuit of a “perfect” plan, and how communication quirks can undermine clarity under stress. The discussion also covers practical issues in arresting and searching people, along with how over-technical language or “sounding like a nerd” can erode rapport, credibility, and command presence in the field.
National Security Strategy Review
This episode focuses on helping listeners understand where tactical action fits inside national-level strategy. Jim breaks down key themes, regional priorities, and notable shifts in emphasis, then explains what those signals may mean for military professionals, law enforcement leaders, and anyone operating inside large institutions. The goal is not agreement or disagreement, but comprehension—because understanding the strategy is a prerequisite to operating effectively within it.