Finding Expertise Through Experience and Failure

By William Manzanares | April 5, 2023 |

“Experience is the name we give our failures.”

Developing expertise in a specific area can be critical for the success of an entrepreneur. It allows them to stand out among competitors and offer unique value propositions that cater to individual customer needs. Identifying areas of expertise involves self-reflection and understanding one’s strengths, passions, and market conditions. Each of those helps determine what expertise could be honed and applied to help solve prevalent problems in a chosen industry.

In this episode, Will emphasizes the power of self-awareness in determining areas of expertise. He discusses his own strengths in overcoming setbacks and adversity and how he harnessed them to provide value to the market. Will and Cassie highlight the significance of pursuing passions to offer innovative solutions to the market, such as launching his book I Can’t Read, which tackles the issue of illiteracy in the United States.

After listening to this episode, you will be able to:

hone your expertise by delving into experiences, education, and market demands.
uncover your own strengths and embrace them for personal and professional growth.
unearth valuable lessons from both triumphant and struggling businesses.
evolve your offerings to stay current and prevent plateaus in progress.
gain valuable insights and guidance from seasoned experts to boost your personal growth.

It is important to identify and understand one’s own areas of expertise. That awareness will aid in creating content, honing public speaking skills, and connecting with audiences. Moreover, being aware of your strengths can also help in devising a successful business or marketing strategy.

“Helping others is the best way to become an expert in a particular field.”

Episode Highlights

00:02:16 – Experience, education, exposure, passion, and purpose can play a role in becoming an expert

00:05:10 – Cassie shares how she focuses on building influence through storytelling, while Will developed his expertise in overcoming setbacks and adversity

00:08:13 – Expertise can be tied to audience needs and preferences by listening to feedback and adjusting speeches or presentations accordingly.

00:10:02. Expertise can be developed through trial and error, as well as seeking feedback and adjusting accordingly.

00:13:01 – Creating value for clients is the best way to achieve success in business.

00:15:14 – Outward success does not necessarily indicate a company’s expertise. Companies that have faced losses provide valuable lessons for businesses, such as the importance of analyzing failures to avoid repeating them.

00:17:23 – Constantly improving products or services is important in order to remain relevant.

00:18:48 – Ask questions and seek advice from those with relevant expertise.