How can you show expertise without arrogance?

Being very clear about the mistakes you made and highlighting the stories that make you human helps the audience understand that you might be an expert in the field now, but you have had your share of difficulties and challenges that you have overcome. Along with this, share insights about how we were able to become an expert in your field and how they can do the same!

Whilst working in the UK Civil Service, I found it helpful sharing my expertise with someone through clear communication with them. But I first understood my audience and needs before sharing what worked for me. That way, they were able to relate to what I had to share with them and they were able to relate to me too!

In my experience understanding the audience is essential when showcasing expertise. Tailoring the communication style, depth of information, and examples to match their knowledge level, interests, and needs helps ensure your expertise is effectively communicated and appreciated. It allows you to connect more deeply with your audience, making your expertise more accessible and valuable to them.

Sharing your stories is EXACTLY how you can show expertise without arrogance. By revealing the situations you've been in, the context of your own life, or the challenges you've navigated, it's a great opportunity to say, "Here's what's worked for me." Because you're not saying it will work for everyone, not only are you showing what you know, but you're also building trust. In my own experience, telling people they "should" or "need to" do an exact thing isn't the way forward. It's about giving people the information and letting them determine how (or how much of it) they want to utilize.

Sharing your personal stories is such an authentic way to showcase your skills! There are so many leaders that have the book knowledge but sharing your personal experience with it shows you have been there and done that -- and most importantly how you got through it!

Sharing our stories is a powerful way to connect with others and make a positive impact. By sharing stories from personal experiences, we can inspire and empower those around us. However, it is the responsibility of the storyteller to share from a conscious place of connection without boasting. Through this act of storytelling, we can learn from each other and create stronger bonds of influence. Through these connections, we can bring about true, positive change in the world. So, let us continue to share our stories from a conscious place and create a brighter future together!

I think sharing stories is an effective way to illustrate expertise and make complex concepts more relatable and understandable to your audience. By weaving real-life examples, anecdotes, or case studies into your explanations, you provide context and demonstrate practical applications of your expertise. Stories engage your audience emotionally, enhance retention, and build credibility by showcasing your experience in action.

Linking thought leadership with arrogance reminds me of a time when 'knowledge is power' was a common belief. These days, 'sharing is caring' and we handle knowledge very differently. Any individual or business looking to establish themselves as an expert in their field needs to consider that their audience will be spread across differing levels of knowledge. Therefore, write authentically and with the genuine aim of educating and informing but don't be afraid to share the simple facts as well as the more complex theories that are relevant to your topic. Those who need each thing will absorb the information. Everyone else can scroll past to find the information they want. There's a place for thought leadership at every level.

This part is key to not just being a thought leader but staying a thought leader! Staying open-minded to the views of others and listening to different perspectives means that you can continuously evolve your thinking. This also earns respect from the people who follow you.

I'm constantly learning...from my clients...I don't have the answers, I have the questions... As I help them find their own answers it gives me even more insight into how they are thinking, and what challenge/question will leads to understanding, acceptance and change in thinking and behaviour. I'm frequently surprised the way their thinking leads them...its fascinating working with people and their thinking...

When sharing your expertise without arrogance, it's important to shift the focus from yourself to those you aim to serve. By making it about supporting and showing love to others, you can establish a stronger connection with your knowledge, wisdom, and expertise. Remember, the goal is to build trust, rapport, and a genuine connection with your audience. By making your expertise about serving others and adopting a humble and authentic approach, you can share your knowledge without arrogance and create a positive impact.

There are few words more powerful coming from a leader than, "I might be wrong." Having situational humility like that invites others into the conversation. Everyone wants to be an expert, and admitting we don't know it all triggers our fear of being seen as incompetent. But the difference between incompetence and humility is the difference between not nothing ANYTHING and admitting you don't know EVERYTHING... One can be an expert and still be humble. ??

I agree and offer this as a first principle of humility in thought leadership and in life… Learn and practice knowing and communicating the difference between opinion and fact, be rigorous about it and be prepared to occasionally be wrong or at least to have misinterpreted an opinion as fact (we do this a lot more frequently than the other way around!) If we offer up our thought leadership to others it’s critical to remember that we are seldom original and are standing on the shoulders of giants, hoping perhaps to stand amongst them. Leadership is not about ego or being right or best, after all it’s about inspiring others… few of us is inspired by a know it all!

Perhaps the best way to become a thought leader is not to set out to become a thought leader. Set out to be helpful to others, using all the tips above, and allow others to decide whether to label you a thought leader.

Don’t use the term me a lot . Mention the mistakes you have made before arriving at your expertise. Also helps to understand your audience surely has knowledge and experience which you do not and to clarify this to them .

Be kind and respectful of where people are coming from even if it’s from a place of frustration. Explaining solutions to non-experts doesn’t need to be completely dumbed down. However substituting specialty jargon for common language and superficial understanding can go a long way.