What is the best way to become an expert in a given field?

Hang out with other experts in that field - like network with them, share knowledge with them, dialog with them, offer to collaborate with them. Maybe even talk with them on Focus?!?!?!?!

It depends on what you mean by "expert." If you mean true actual domain expertise, then you obviously need to be on the front lines living the area of focus everyday.

If you mean "recognized expert" as in a thought leader - then it takes more than just blogging, speaking at conferences, doing Webinars, writing white papers, books, doing research, etc. The most successful thought leaders are able to package their ideas in a manner that resonates with a wide audience, and does so with an air of authority and innovation. It isn't just what you say, but how you say it that elevates some thought leaders above others.

Develop a network of other experts in your given field so you can extend your value. You will not only be able to give great referrals to your customers but you will also learn a great deal from the others your network with. Diversify your knowledge and you will become a greater asset.

Develop thought-leading content and share it - both written (blog, participate in Q&A's like this one) and live (present at events, etc...).

This may sound funny or odd, but when I started in IT 100 years ago I would read catalogs from companies that sold equipment, then I'd read about that equipment in other places to understand what it did and why people bought it, and learn what was related to it, then I'd go back to the catalog and look up that related equipment and study it - back and forth for years. What this brought to me was depth not in a specific genre of equipment, but in associated equipment. When I say depth, I am not suggesting that this is all it takes - as others have said above ask questions, be active, and get to know people in the business. But get to know ancillary and related parts as well - that's where the depth will ultimately be seen.

Don't just think outside the box...BUT, get rid of the box and define the world in a whole new way, even if it takes starting from scratch!

Read. Learn. Ask questions. Spend time with experts. Then speak, write, publish, ship. Gather intelligence and new information daily, then publish your findings and learnings for others.

Lather, rinse repeat. Every day. It doesn't happen overnight, and you're never done.

There are no shortcuts, nor is there really a finish line. But that's how it's done.

There are two types of expert:
1. One who knows a great deal about a field.
2. One who knows how to make things in the field work.

While it is true that you can be both at the same time, experience shows that many "experts" are the former, being capable of educating you about the field, but the latter: those able to get things done are more rare.

The former status can be achieved by education, networking, conferences, etc. etc. The latter, however, is achieved only be time in the trenches, finding out what works and what does not. The rarest of all is the person who has both the informational background and the real world experience.

Each of us possesses one or two "unique" learning styles. That means that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to how one becomes an expert. For some schooling or training is more important than others. Similarly, hands-on practice or sitting at the feet of a master may be an important component of your ability to develop expertise. I believe that experience tempered with the passage of time tends to improve my own abilities. Unfortunately, though, time also introduces new knowledge, technologies, and approaches to so many things that keeping up, while practicing, is also extremely important in my view.

Along with all the others great suggestions, I would consider scheduling one hour each day to learn and further explore your area of expertise. Malcom Gladwell writes in the Tipping Point of 10,000 hours. However for some 365 hours can be a good start.

I slightly disagree with Art. A person in fact DOES become an expert by declaring themselves as such. Very few individuals are recognized as experts in their fields simply because they are spontaneously recognized as such by others.

However, before declaring oneself an expert, one must "have the goods" else, as Art says, they will be seen through quickly.

I would argue that how one acquired the goods is irrelevant. It is a thorough understanding of the application of knowledge that separates "experts" from others, no matter how educated on a topic they each may be.

Together, let's put the fun back into work!
Belldon Colme
belldoncolme@gmail.com

OBSESSION... being obsessed about it makes you an expert! Any successful professional like CEOs and/or any other that makes the difference is obsessed about what he/she does!