The role of a Subject Matter Expert
(SME) has become increasingly significant. Whether you’re a professional,
educator, or coach, positioning yourself as an expert in your field can open
doors to new opportunities and deepen your impact. But what does it mean to be
a subject matter expert? And how can you tell if you’ve truly mastered your
craft?
In my 20+ years of experience as a
learning management leader, I was responsible for making sure the organization
had the resources for employees to learn, perform, and grow. In order to be
successful, there were moments when I had the opportunity to engage in
something I truly enjoyed—building or sourcing a course that the organization
needed. There were occasions when we didn’t have the in-house expertise, and it
became my responsibility to find an external course or training program that
would meet our needs. However, in many instances we chose to build the course
ourselves.
To ensure the success of these
projects, the first step was always identifying who the subject matter experts
(SMEs) were within the organization. These individuals held the critical
knowledge required to create content that was both accurate and applicable.
Working closely with them, our goal was to translate their specialized insights
into learning materials that others could easily grasp and apply.
The process of extracting knowledge
from an expert and organizing it into structured, engaging learning content was
both a challenge and a rewarding experience. By collaborating with SMEs, we
ensured the training was relevant, practical, and capable of improving
performance across the board. This approach not only helped us create tailored
courses that fit our specific organizational needs, but it also empowered our
subject matter experts to share their knowledge more effectively. It
transformed them from silent contributors into active educators, reinforcing
the value of their expertise within the company and ensuring it could be passed
on to others.
On a personal note, my husband and I like to think of ourselves as
gardeners, so each year we plant a variety of vegetables. I’m particularly fond
of growing tomatoes and peppers, while he takes pride in his collard greens and
green beans. I don’t know about you, but this year’s garden has been one of the
strangest we've had in a long time.
For example, I planted four
different types of tomatoes, but things didn’t turn out quite like I expected.
My tomatoes came in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors—none of which
matched what I had anticipated. For
instance, the plant that was supposed to produce roma tomatoes produced
something that looked more like a mini big beef tomato! And my husband had his
own surprise: he planted what he thought were green beans, but when we opened
the pods, there were brown beans inside. What in the world happened?
Confused, we sought out an expert. It
just so happened that every Wednesday, a lady delivers fresh vegetables to our
church. She’s an expert gardener, with years of experience, and always seems to
have an answer for any gardening challenge. Since my husband and I were
completely perplexed by what was happening in our own garden, we decided to
seek her advice.
After listening to our stories of
mismatched tomatoes and mysterious brown beans, she quickly explained that
there had been some errors at the seed distribution center. Apparently, some of
the seeds had been crossed, which caused the unexpected results we were seeing
in our crops. Her explanation made perfect sense and immediately put our minds
at ease. But the lesson was clear—when we couldn’t figure out the problem
ourselves, we had to ask an expert for help. That’s the beauty of relying on
someone with deeper knowledge.
In the world of Learning and
Development, a subject matter expert is someone whose expertise goes beyond
basic knowledge—they possess deep, specialized insights that are critical for
training and developing others. These experts are invaluable because they help
transfer knowledge that might otherwise be difficult to capture in manuals or
standard training programs. They ensure that employees are not just taught the
"what" but, more importantly, the "why" and "how"
of their tasks. SMEs are the gatekeepers of organizational success, providing
essential guidance to ensure processes are efficient, teams are well-trained,
and goals are met.
A subject matter expert isn't just
someone with experience; they are someone who has mastered their field, often
becoming the first point of contact when questions or challenges arise. Their
ability to teach, mentor, and inspire others makes them a crucial element in
any learning initiative.
As individuals seek answers to the
problems they face, the role of the role of a Subject Matter Expert (SME) has
become increasingly significant. Whether you’re a professional, educator, or
coach, positioning yourself as an expert in your field can open doors to new
opportunities and deepen your impact. As an expert you have the insight to
identify issues others we might overlook and can guide others toward solutions
they wouldn’t have found on our own. Just like in gardening, this applies to so
many areas of life. Whether it's building a skill, solving a complex problem at
work, or navigating a personal challenge, there are times when reaching out to
a subject matter expert is not just helpful—it’s necessary.
How do you know if you are a subject matter expert?
At Pearls Perfected Institute, we
believe that becoming an expert is about more than knowledge—it’s about
delivering value, inspiring trust, and driving positive change. But what does
it mean to be a subject matter expert? And how can you tell if you’ve truly
mastered your craft? Let’s break down the key indicators that reveal whether
you’re on your way to becoming, or already are, a subject matter expert.
1. You’re the Go-To Resource in
Your Field
One of the clearest signs of
expertise is when people consistently turn to you for advice, insight, or
direction. Whether it’s peers, clients, or even competitors, being recognized
as a trusted authority in your domain shows that others respect your knowledge
and rely on your guidance. Are you the one people reach out to for answers? Do
you frequently provide solutions or contribute to important decisions in your
industry? If so, it’s a strong sign you’ve reached expert status.
2. You Have Deep Knowledge and
Experience
Experts don’t just skim the
surface—they dive deep into their subject matter. This depth comes from years
of experience, ongoing learning, and a passion for the field. You’re likely an
SME if you have an intimate understanding of your topic, can confidently answer
detailed questions, and are aware of emerging trends and innovations.
Additionally, you stay updated with the latest research, constantly honing your
expertise to provide relevant and accurate insights.
3. You Can Simplify Complex Concepts
True mastery isn’t just about
knowing the facts—it’s about making them accessible to others. Subject matter
experts can take complex ideas and break them down in a way that’s easy to
understand, regardless of the audience’s knowledge level. Whether you’re
teaching a class, mentoring a colleague, or explaining a concept to a client,
your ability to distill complicated information into digestible pieces reflects
your command of the subject.
4. You Mentor Others in Your Field
A great subject matter expert not
only excels in their own career but also nurtures the growth of others. If
you’re mentoring emerging professionals, offering guidance to colleagues, or
training the next generation of experts, it shows that you’ve reached a level
of expertise that enables you to teach and lead. This passing on of knowledge
solidifies your role as an authority and deepens your legacy within your field.
5. You’ve Developed a Strong Personal Brand
Building a personal brand is
crucial for establishing yourself as a subject matter expert. This includes
your online presence, such as sharing thought-provoking content on social
media, creating educational resources, or hosting webinars. If you’re
intentionally creating and sharing value with others, your expertise will
naturally become more visible, further solidifying your standing as an SME.
Don't have content to present and
share? Pearls Perfected
Institute is a great place to begin creating high-quality content that
showcases your expertise. Our platform empowers professionals like you to turn
your insights and knowledge into tangible resources—whether it's creating a
blog, podcast, video series, or even writing an e-book. We provide the tools
and guidance you need to produce polished, impactful content that not only
demonstrates your skills but also builds your personal brand and authority in
your field.
Start small by curating
presentations, articles, or short training videos, and grow your portfolio from
there. As your confidence and content collection increase, you can present at
conferences, be featured in industry publications, or become a go-to expert for
podcasts and thought leadership opportunities. Don't wait for someone to ask
you to share your insights. At PPI we make it easy to establish yourself as a
credible source in your industry. Start building your platform today with Pearls Perfected Institute—your
partner in unlocking and showcasing your expertise for a greater impact.
Being recognized as a subject
matter expert isn’t something that happens overnight. It requires dedication,
continuous learning, and a genuine passion for your field. Whether you’re
already on this journey or aspire to be an SME, remember that expertise is as
much about providing value to others as it is about mastering your own
knowledge.
At Pearls Perfected Institute,
we’re committed to helping you unlock your full potential. Our platform
empowers professionals to share their knowledge with the world and build
meaningful connections with their audience. Plus at PPI, you can do just that
without getting bogged down in technology.
So, are you ready to take your expertise to the next level?
To learn more about how Pearls
Perfected Institute can support your journey toward becoming a subject matter
expert, visit our website
or contact us today.
Blessings,
Dr. Janice R. Love
Founder and CEO, Pearls Perfected
Institute
