THE BRAZEN CAREERIST- Expert-ease: Being one takes time, not talent

I've been walking around with the July/August 2007 issue of the Harvard Business Review for close to three years because it contains an article that I'm attached to, "The Making of an Expert" by Anders Ericsson, Michael Prietula, and Edward Cokely.

Being an expert is not innate. Successful performers "practiced intensively, had studied with devoted teachers, and had been supported enthusiastically by their families throughout their developing years."


It used to be, more than 100 years ago, that you could be a prodigy and come out of nowhere and be great. An example the authors use is Mozart. Yes, he had innate ability, but also, his father was a professional violinist, a skilled composer who wrote the first violin instruction book.

Today, the standard for being an international success at anything is so high that the authors say you need to spend at least 10 years working in a very focused, everyday way on the thing you want to be great at. Evidence: today's high schools swimmers beat Olympic records from years ago.



I recall the day I realized that my figure skating coach was an alcoholic. My dad picked me up at the rink. He asked why my skate guards were on. I said I never went skating. I said, "I think Ivar is sick."

My dad said, "Yeah. I've been thinking that for a while."

I said, "I don't think he really can teach me any more."

My dad said, "I've been thinking that for a while."

I remember the heartbreak I felt knowing that I didn't have a teacher. If you are a person who wants to be an expert, the thing you want most is a teacher. I think that's why I carry the magazine with me everywhere I go. To remind me to look. Like my life depends on it.


Penelope Trunk has started several companies and worked for many more.