In order to learn, we look toward experts. College, in particular, is supposed to be full of them, though the jury is still out on whether that is true.

As we move forward in life, there are experts everywhere. Folks "with a high degree of skill in, or knowledge of, a certain subject."

They're not hard to find.

Many "lay people" with a lot of knowledge in a particular subject, however, are hesitant to position themselves as "experts." No degree. No certification. "I'm just a guy..."

Perhaps it is because there are all too many experts hawking their wares today, on the internet and elsewhere. Maybe many of our Good Folks are a little shy to jump in the "game" and pronounce themself an "expert" because hucksters have saturated a lot of potential markets?

I don't know.

What I do know is that a decent portion of the today's expert class won't lead you down the right path. The opposite is often true. Don't get me started on college...

Nevertheless, experts are useful. They can and will lead you down the right path if the expert is a ...

Tony Fauci, for instance, is an "expert"—in something to do with doctoring—but he is not a leader. Rather, a snake.

An expert with likely a lot of blood on his hands (though I cannot say for sure, but I doubt history will look kindly upon the Good Doctor).

Leadership is more important than expertise.

To become a leader, being an expert is helpful, maybe even necesessary, but not sufficient.

Think of water. It is necessary for our survival, but not sufficient. Food, warmth, rest, security, saftety, etc. are also necessary. The base of Maslow's hierarchy.

We learn from experts. We need leaders.

With that in mind, I am launching a series of virtual masterminds for ambitious and driven people not only willing to share their expertise, but who are keen on developing skills to become leaders—the kind of folks who people will listen to and follow.

But it will also require a bit of humility. Be willing to let others serve you. And even if you are an expert, the "experts" don't know it all.

To find out more about O'Leary's Inner Sphere and to be among the first to be notified when registration opens:

As always,

Brian