Finding an Expert to Solve Problems of Significance

When you have a problem that needs to be “fixed” (and you are unable to enact a remedy on your own), you normally seek advice from an expert. Experts (by definition) have problem-specific experience, knowledge, and skill. In a manner of speaking, they have not only “been there and done that,” but they have also immersed themselves in the problem. They have studied it and developed a predictive perspective on how to prepare and how to respond. And irrespective of the particulars associated with your problem, there are experts (and, unfortunately, pseudo experts) everywhere. Which presents another problem: Which expert do you choose?

As problems go, few would argue that racism is a big one—a big problem that has attracted a long list of experts over time with ideas on how to solve it. Those ideas range from opinions (in large supply) to verifiable track records of success (fewer and much further between). I would offer, based on personal experience, that Daryl Davis is one of the world’s most credible sources of expertise on the problem of racism and (at a minimum) is worth listening to on the topic for the following reasons:

Experience

At the ripe old age of 10, Daryl was attacked (both verbally and physically) by an angry mob in the middle of a local parade. In retrospect, what makes that event even more troubling is the fact that he was the flag bearer for his local Cub Scout pack walking down the middle of the street while participating in the parade. The incident fueled a discussion with his father on the seeds of bigotry. That exchange culminated with a question that has fueled the development of his expertise on the topic ever since: “How can they hate me … when they don’t even know me?”

Knowledge

It would be comforting (in an odd way) if the incident when he was 10 was Daryl’s only brush with racism. Unfortunately, that was not the case. And, as he lived through a series of seemingly random events in a life that could only be described as unique, Daryl became increasingly obsessed with “the whys of racism.” Predictively, that quest led him (early and directly) to an organization that was founded to both espouse and enact prejudice, bigotry and racism: The Ku Klux Klan (KKK).

I would ask that you not simply take my word for this (do some Googling!), but I would offer no one on the planet knows more about the KKK than Daryl Davis. He has read every document ever written about them. He has conducted hundreds of documented personal interviews with card-carrying members of the KKK. At profound risk as an African American, he has attended a number of cross-burning Klan rallies. He is a published author and speaker with a global following on the topic of racism and bigotry, in general, and the KKK, in particular.

Skill

Perhaps the most functional way to describe or define skill is that it is knowledge and experience in action. You take the things that happened to you, combine them with the things you learned along the way, and you enact and implement a plan expressly intended to solve the problem that stands before you. The results you achieve determine the level of your skill or the depth of your expertise.

Daryl Davis has had decades of documented, positive effects on tens of thousands of people. He has raised awareness, and he has helped people see and feel the consequences of bigotry. But Daryl has done things in this realm that will forever distinguish his skill set. He has had over 200 former Klansmen contact him and inform him of their decisions to renounce their allegiance to the KKK because of his personal impact on them, over time. Forty-five of those Klansmen presented Daryl with their KKK robes and hoods as symbolic gestures of that transformation. Think about that for a second.

If you would like to learn more about Daryl and his work as a race relations expert, I encourage you to check out his website: https://www.daryldavis.com/.

I also had the privilege of interviewing Daryl for our new book, Lessons from Leaders, coauthored with Marshall Goldsmith and Kathy McDermott. We were honored that Daryl contributed his story. We are of the opinion that his expertise can help leaders at all levels solve problems of significance for the benefit of us all!