Expert Opinions Are Still Opinions
Some people should be advising no people. As the saying goes, everyone has an opinion. Expert opinions matter, yet are they opinions or something rooted in facts?
One theory about expert status is that it is granted to anyone who has spent 10,000 hours practicing their craft. Lots of hours can lead to lots of experience. That experience may be considered good or bad.
All experiences can be learning moments. Good experiences may guide the way for what worked. Bad experiences may guide the way for what didn’t or identify things to avoid.
Compelling Information
Opinions on anything can be compelling. It often depends on the delivery, confidence, and if the story is compelling. Is the story believable?
Opinions are readily available on social media channels. They are often delivered with the flair that they contain expert advice.
Saying that the stock market will drop is somewhat of a guarantee. The question may be when or how much?
Suggesting that taking vitamin supplements will improve your health is hard to measure. Like politics, there is a good chance that at least fifty percent will agree.
Having the answers to everything may not be a sign of intelligence but more of a sign of having a strong opinion.
Expert Opinions
In marketing, loud sells.
In this statement, loud is a metaphor for density or impact. A thirty second ad on television in a local market has some reach. A three-hour news slot that is airing internationally has much more reach.
It’s louder.
It doesn’t necessarily condition a difference between fact and opinion. Experts may be self-proclaimed in either case. They may even have their 10,000 hours under their belt.
What it does mean is that with more reach, you’ll find more people who agree. More people who agree or even those who disagree may decide to share the information.
Every day there is additional value to understanding the difference between fact and opinion. It’s true regardless of how loud the sound is, or whether it is coming from and expert or amateur.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
