Learn By Speaking To Experts

Dr Cal Lightman is an expert on lie-detection in the hit TV series. It is based on real-life social anthropologist, Dr Ekman's work and research on facial recognition and micro-gestures.

One of the lessons in business and in endurance sports I have learnt is: Talk to experts.

This approach seems to be a common pattern among people of excellence. Virgin Group founder, Richard Branson suggested that he ‘surrounds himself with experts’. He manages this ‘team’, while they help manage his numerous businesses he has created. Macro-manage instead of micro-manage. Tap on the expert’s expertise and breadth of working experience. Learn to leverage on their lessons.

I was at Adidas retail-outlets last week, looking for minimalist shoes to train and race in. I met one of their experts, Sean who asked me questions about my running needs. He surprised me pleasantly by identifying some of my discrepancies about my feet; I had a broken toe that has caused my foot to be slightly wider. Together, we decided on the most comfortable shoe size, design and weight for my running needs. I respectfully asked him questions that intrigued me, however naïve or ignorant I may have sounded. Ask, and ye shall find.

Working with an expert such as a coach – whether in sports, business or career – can be an edifying experience. You learn much about collaboration, perspectives, and developing capability. You also learn to recognize the values of performance, respect, potential, broad-mindedness, and choice. When choosing to work with experts, interview them as you would any job candidate. How close do they fit your profile and expectation? How wide is their experience? Which unique skill-sets would you find complementary? Which personality type would you prefer? Would you prefer an astute critic, or an engaging encourager?

A coach who walks their talk is highly relevant. Being consistent in their thoughts, words and deeds is important. Certainly, coaching is a partnership. Once you engage a coach, you will need to trust them and the process. You will have to commit to the active processes of exploration, analyses and prescription. Constant feed forward and feedback are crucial pieces of the strategic equation for performance.

If you are keen to enhance your swimming performance during a race, here is an expert’s opinion.

If you would like to change your tire, and this is crucial during a race when the technical support team is not immediately available. It is important to be self-sufficient through your technical skills and working knowledge.

When You Need Help, Seek The Experts

‘Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS!’ ~ Theme song

We don’t have all the answers, thus we ask questions. Questions give us focus and a sense of purpose. Open-ended questions allow us to comprehend. Close-ended questions allow us to verify, validate and consolidate. We may not fully understand many things, although we say we do. What does understanding something mean to you? Does having the head knowledge mean you understand? When you say you know, does that mean you also understand? If you know, can you apply your knowledge (as skills) confidently?

These questions may be vexing, yet we ask them to comprehend, appreciate, learn, and understand matters. Our curiosity underlies our ability to examine, investigate, check, research, discover, learn, ponder, and consider. Adventurers are driven by a sense of curiosity and the need to discover. Our maritime forefathers demonstrated that when they set sail for the New World with some getting utterly lost and disorientated. Some were purported to have sailed off the edge of the world!

Experts have more than knowledge. They also possess tacit experience and tacit wisdom. They are regarded as experts because they know more, have expertise, and can make recommendations based on their area of specialty and passion. Experts can help us think and do outside the box. Thus, the roles of coach and mentor have their relevance in both the corporate world as it does with our community, family and our friends.

How open and broad-minded are you to professional advice? How well do you take feedback? When was the last time you sought an expert? Do you have a coach for your endurance sport? Learn and lead. Learn to lead. 

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Yesterday evening, I decided to go for an easy run, as the sky dimmed prematurely with looming grey clouds. It was raining predictably for a few consecutive evenings. I ran two sets with a 5-minute break between them: 11K at 4:35 pace, and 10K for 4:55 pace. It was faster than I expected; I almost had a PB in training for my 11K, however missed out slightly. Nevertheless, I will aim to hold my 21K at about 4:30 pace, consistently for a PB at the Singapore 70.3 in March. That’s the plan, man!

I was running with another runner, and we kept each other company for about 8K. I overtook him twice, and he overtook me once when I took a drink at the 17K mark. Whoever he is, thanks buddy for the race-like conditions. My Facebook posting of my training session drew many useful comments – thank you, my friends! With my new age group, my qualifying time for the Boston Marathon will be 3:30. Looks like my goal is several minutes within reach (3:37:06 at Berlin in September on a cold and rainy day), although I would love to still achieve a 3:20 within a year. I will surround myself with experts, and back to planning my performance goals with my Coach! The Hong Kong Marathon awaits me after Chinese New Year.