Perspective
Real Expertise Isn’ t Loud. It Isn’ t Self-proclaimed!
By Grace Gikonyo
The word“ expert” has been lingering in my mind lately, not loudly, just sitting in the background, like a song you didn’ t choose but somehow know every lyric to.
Working in the creative space has taught me many things, but one of the most consistent lessons has been how people choose to present themselves. I realized early on in my career that I never introduced myself based on my academic background. Not once have I walked into a room and said,“ I am qualified because of the institutions I attended.” Instead, I speak in the language of experience; the brands I’ ve served, the work I’ ve built, the results that can be traced, measured, felt.
Maybe it’ s because a lot of my opportunities have come through referrals. Maybe it’ s because I have been poached before; multiple times, in fact, and I became used to being recognized for what I do, not for what is written on paper. Or maybe it’ s simply the nature of creativity: it’ s visible. You can see it. You can feel it.
Over the years, I’ ve also found myself on the other side of the conversation; interviewing candidates. Sometimes for my own brand, sometimes on behalf of companies I worked with or collaborated with. And in those conversations, I started to notice a pattern.
There are people who describe themselves as experts because they hold a certain degree or title. And yet, the moment the discussion shifts from theory to practical understanding to“ show me how” rather than“ tell me why” everything becomes shaky. There’ s hesitation; There’ s fumbling; There’ s confusion.
And in those moments, a thought always crosses my mind: who cares? It’ s all academic.
I say that not to dismiss education, far from it. I probably study now more than I ever did in school. Three-quarters of my working hours are spent learning: reading case studies, analyzing campaigns, researching behavior, watching trends evolve in real time.
But we live in a world where information is everywhere. Knowledge is no longer rare. Application is.
In creativity especially, I’ ve come to learn that the companies and individuals who inspire me most are the ones who prize quiet competence. The ones who lean into humility. The ones who can be incredibly brilliant but still speak as though they are learning, because they are. Because they understand that mastery isn’ t a certificate. It’ s a process.
And ironically, the loudest people in the room are rarely the ones doing the most meaningful work. There is a certain elegance in being good without announcing it. A certain power in letting your outcomes speak on your behalf. A certain strength in being rooted, not reactive.
I have also seen how easily people who rely too heavily on credentials become uncomfortable when challenged. The degree becomes a shield. The title becomes a defense. But in this world, titles can be replaced, systems evolve, industries shift, platforms disappear, but skill endures.
And this is where something we often call street smart starts to hold weight. You know, that ability to read the room, to adapt, to listen, to understand people, to solve problems on the spot, to see opportunities hidden between lines. It’ s like common sense, but with traction. With grip. With movement.
Street smart says,“ I can learn what I don’ t know.” Book smart sometimes says,“ I know enough already.” One is fluid. The other can trap you.
So maybe that’ s the lesson I’ ve been sitting with: Leave the book smartness in class just long enough to translate it into something useful. Bring your voice, your thinking, your intuition, your ability to create, your why you. Let your story carry value.
Because real expertise isn’ t loud. It isn’ t self-proclaimed. It doesn’ t need applause to exist. It is seen in the work. In the outcomes. In consistency. In the courage to refine yourself over and over again.
Real expertise is when other people say,“ We want you.” Not because of your title, but because of your impact.
So find a simple, grounded way to communicate your uncommon skill. Not by shouting it. But by embodying it. Let your work speak, and speak well.
Grace Gikonyo is the Marketing Director at NovaPlus and the Managing Director & Lead Consultant at Maynet PR & Marketing. She has been recognized as the Top Digital PR Practitioner of the Year for her outstanding work in brand strategy, communications, and digital influence. You can engage her via mail at: Gikonyog00 @ gmail. com.
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