One of my challenges as a speaker is that people think I'm an expert. There are things you want to say in your field of expertise, but that doesn't mean you have everything you want to say in your field.
To make matters worse, many “experts” have higher degrees than thermometers, and that's scary. But that doesn't make them experts in everything, just in their field.
Moreover, many experts who believe they are experts in everything end up just as “ex-spurts.”
When I fly internationally, flight attendants often ask me if they see my “doctor.” “Edwin Delph” on the ticket: “Are you a doctor?” Here's my answer. “I'm an academic doctor. You don't want me to take your blood pressure. I think your blood pressure is John 3:16.”
Let me explain further. This story grew out of an email I received a few years ago.
Once upon a time, a shepherd was tending his sheep on the side of a country road in rural Wyoming. A brand new Jeep Grand Cherokee screeched to a halt next to him. The driver, a young man wearing a Brioni suit, Cerruti shoes, Ray-Ban glasses, a Jovial Swiss watch, and a BHS tie, jumped out and asked the owner: they? “The owner looked at the young man, then at the flock of sheep grazing, and said, “Okay.''
The young man parks his SUV, plugs in his notebook and wireless modem, enters the NASA site, scans the ground using satellite imagery and GPS, and opens 60 Excel tables filled with databases and algorithms. , I printed a 150-page report on my computer. High-tech mini printer. He turned to the herdsman and said, “There are 1,586 sheep here.'' The owner replied: Choose one sheep. ” The young man picked up one of the animals and placed it in the back of his car.
As he prepared to drive away, the herdsman looked at him and asked, “Well, if I guess your occupation, will you give it back to me in kind?'' The young man said, “Of course!'' I answered. The pastoralist immediately said, “You’re a consultant.” “That's right! How did you know?” asked the young man.
“It's very simple,'' replied the herdsman. “First, you came here uninvited. Second, you charged a fee to tell me things I already knew. Third, you didn't tell me anything about my business.” I really want my dog back.'' Talk about the “ex-spurt.'' However, I appreciated the consultant's enthusiasm and clothing choices.
Of course, there is a place for experts, but again, there are no experts in all fields. When someone wants to talk to me about God or the church, I think so. Suddenly they become experts, theologians, and Bible teachers in fields they know little about.
In their eyes, they are experts. Their opinions are formed by who knows what, why, how, and where. To me, it's like teaching scientists at a nuclear facility how to do their jobs. If scientists took my “expert” advice, we'd be blue in the face right now.
We Earthlings tend to specialize in various topics. We make guesses and assumptions instead of getting more information. Here in the United States, we are entering an election year. Everyone thinks they're an expert on politics, government, and politicians. The problem is that people believe them.
The old cowboy said: “The water won't be clean until we take the pigs out of the stream!”
Proverbs 1:5 says: “A wise man hears and learns, and a man of understanding receives wise counsel.”
In other words, recognize the need to be a learner in areas in which you are not an expert. That's difficult for us self-proclaimed experts. Aristotle once said this in a galaxy far, far away. “Fools offer nothing worth hearing and get angry about everything.” Wow, what's happening now has happened before.
Why not limit the drama in your life? If the answer is yes, become an expert at becoming a learner. Don't be offended, just be teachable. Be polite and civilized. And remember this. The mind is like a parachute. Most effective when open. Great people and leaders know that they are not the smartest people in the room. Before you try to change others, remember how difficult it is to change yourself.
What is our point? Someone once said, “Changing the scenery won't change the story unless you rewrite the script within yourself.'' Did the shepherd get his dog back?
Ed Delph is the author of ten books, a pastor, teacher, former business executive, and speaker. He has traveled widely and has visited over 100 countries. He is the Chairman of NationStrategy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting and transforming communities around the world. For more information, visit nationstrategy.com.
Contact him at nationstrategy@cs.com.
