Why I’ll Never Be an Expert—And That’s Okay

By Amie Rafter

We live in an era obsessed with expertise. LinkedIn bios, conference panels, and job applications all demand proof—degrees, certifications, years spent sharpening a singular skill. Expertise, we’re told, is the currency of credibility. And yet, for all its value, I’ve come to accept that I will never be an “expert” in the traditional sense. And, honestly? I don’t want to be.

My work spans industries, from startups to non-profits, from tech to leadership coaching. I don’t fit neatly into a box. I never have. Instead, I build relationships, align with people’s goals, and move quickly to trust—because, in the end, success isn’t just about what you know. It’s about who believes in you, who lets you in the room, and who trusts you to help them navigate the unknown.  It took me a long time to understand this, which is why I felt compelled to share.  The number of years I had imposter syndrome never feeling quite good enough at any one thing, afraid I would be exposed if someone dived deep enough held me back from recognizing the gift I was actually given.  I would over work and undersell myself, all the while being recruited and asked for consult or help, afraid to say no, never feeling the full security of my skills. 

The Limits of Expertise

Don’t get me wrong—experts are critical. I want the best surgeon in the operating room, the best engineer designing a bridge, and the best scientist developing medicine. I respect and honor, and in that past deeply envied those with a level of focus in one area that were able to have the clarity of their specialty and dive ever deeper in to it. But for many of us, the work we do isn’t about solving a problem with a clear, technical answer. It’s about navigating ambiguity. It’s about building trust.

In my experience, deep specialization can sometimes become a barrier to seeing the bigger picture. Experts often have a hammer and see every problem as a nail. They double down on frameworks and theories that worked in the past, sometimes missing what’s unfolding in front of them.

But when you operate as more of a hummingbird, you learn to adapt. You recognize that each challenge is different because each person and each situation is different. You pivot and learn on the fly and you stop assuming you already have the answer. You start listening.

The Speed of Trust

In 4 different conversations last week where I networked and introduced my contacts to each other they all referenced their trust in me as their primary driver to take the call. Trust is my expertise. I don’t walk into a room advertising my credentials, I walk in with curiosity. People don’t work with me because I have the deepest knowledge in their field—they work with me because I understand them and I can connect with the bigger picture of what is possible in alignment with their goals and field.

I follow the principles of what Stephen M.R. Covey calls the speed of trust: credibility isn’t just about competence; it’s about character. It’s about showing up, delivering on promises, and being the person people count on.

The irony? That trust often opens more doors than a résumé ever could. It accelerates progress, breaks down resistance, and fosters real collaboration. When people trust you, they don’t need you to be an expert—they just need you to be on their side.

Listening Over Knowing

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that expertise can sometimes get in the way of truly hearing people. When you position yourself as an expert, the expectation is that you should already have the answer. That makes it easy to stop listening.  If you are more concerned in feeling you need to prove yourself, to fill in the gaps before someone has even finished explaining you are missing the plot. You try to grab what you think they need so you can project you know the solution, rather than what they’re actually saying.

But when you let go of the need to be the expert in the room, you start asking better questions. You make space for others to share their knowledge. You piece together insights from different industries, different perspectives, different ways of thinking.

That’s why I don’t claim to be the authority in any one space. My work isn’t about asserting expertise—it’s about building relationships that lead to better outcomes, and every conversation is to be learned from, and guess what? Your expertise expands in the process and you take that with you in to the next conversation.

Redefining Credibility

So, no, I will never feel like the definitive expert in any one thing. But what I do offer is something just as valuable: perspective. Adaptability. The ability to bridge gaps between industries, people, and ideas. The ability to see a bigger picture, to connect dots, overcome barriers and collaborate. The trust that allows teams to move forward faster, with less friction.

In a world appears to overvalue expertise and undervalue trust, that said I feel that’s shifting.  When AI and content creation tools allow everyone to ‘appear’ as an expert or make their company look more credible that they are and engagement can be bought and sold, people are looking for a more personal connection from those they know have already vetted something.  They are craving the conversation and collaboration to reduce the ambiguity and anxiety they feel about their decisions.  So let go of imposter syndrome, you already have what someone or many need.  You only need to understand that no, you aren’t for everyone, but that through your authenticity, listening and caring the right people will value you, recommend you and support you.  I’ll keep choosing to grow this way. Because, in the end, no one hires me for what’s on my résumé. They hire me because they believe I can help them get where they want to go.

And that’s enough.

Hbird Consulting was formed to offer a new understanding of leadership, business and collaboration in all the ways we can for our client, whether its direct business development support, or coaching through limiting beliefs or educating  on topics to elevate growth.  We would be happy to chat and see how we can work together!