{"id":102066,"date":"2023-05-09T18:13:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-09T22:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=102066"},"modified":"2023-05-15T13:26:42","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T17:26:42","slug":"learn-from-experts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/learn-from-experts\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Learn From Experts: Cautions & Tips for Getting Guidance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why are the greats often not so great at teaching others what they know? What’s the best way to learn from them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Decoding Greatness<\/em>, Ron Friedman says that doing great work requires learning from the greats in your field. But, you\u2019ll find that many of them make poor teachers and coaches. Friedman explains why this is and shares strategies for getting the most out of your interactions with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep reading for Friedman’s guidance on how to learn from experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Learning From Experts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As you work to grow your skills and expand your creative output, it\u2019s crucial to learn from experts, but it\u2019s not always easy to get their feedback and guidance. Friedman notes that, if you\u2019re lucky enough to get a chance to work directly with experts in your field, they might not be as helpful as you\u2019d hope. He explains that experts often make poor teachers, trainers, and coaches<\/strong>. This is because they\u2019ve so internalized their knowledge and skills that, when they perform, they do so instinctively. That makes it hard for them to explain how<\/em> they do what they do. Moreover, Friedman says, experts typically can\u2019t remember (or imagine) what it\u2019s like to be a beginner and lack the skills and knowledge they have now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Shortform note: If you\u2019re looking for experts who are<\/em> good teachers, Think Again<\/em><\/a> author Adam Grant suggests that you look for people who gained their expertise recently, who struggled to do so, and who are good communicators<\/a>\u2014these people tend to remember what it was like to face beginner challenges and have the skills needed to guide learners toward improvement.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, if you have the chance to work with an expert, Friedman suggests that you make the most of their expertise by asking<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n