The patience of an expert

Are you nailing it every time you connect with an expert?

I call myself an expert in some areas of my professional life. But when it comes to doing my nails, I remembered that I’m an absolute amateur during a recent manicure appointment.

The lady came armed with a pencil case of implements and easily 10,000 hours of practice. She greeted me with one word and a quick smile as she took my hands in hers for an inspection. For the next 30 minutes, our communication was a mix of short spoken instructions, hand gestures and facial expresssions.

As I observed how we were connecting, I realised that this wasn't just due to a language barrier. To her, I’m just another pleb who can’t do her own nails. But to me, she is an artist, an expert and a creator of beauty.

Experts can often be bored or frustrated by non-experts, especially when we don’t appear to value their expertise or appreciate what they do and what they know. It takes them time and focus and determination to master a craft.

But it takes just a minute for us to look closer and notice that. So next time you think ‘How hard can it be?', don't make it a rhetorical question. Just ask the expert.