Untapped Power of Self
May 23rd, 2012
As a subject matter expert (SME), you have more power than you think, and certainly more than you demonstrate.
As an SME, you have special knowledge. Looking back, you know what worked, what didn’t, and why; looking forward, you know what should work, what shouldn’t, and why. There’s power in your special knowledge, but you underestimate it and don’t use it to move the needle.
As an SME, without your special knowledge there are no new products, no new technologies, and no new markets. Without it, it’s same-old, same-old until the competition outguns you. It’s time you realize your importance and behave that way.
As an SME, when you and your SME friends gang together, your company must listen. Your gang knows it all. From the system-level stuff to the most detailed detail, you know it. Remember, you invented the technology that powers your products. It’s time you behave that way.
As an SME, with your power comes responsibility – you have an obligation to use your power for good. Figure out what the technology wants, and do that; do the sustainable thing; do the thing that creates jobs; do what’s good for the economy; sit yourself in the future, look back, and do what you think is right.
As an SME, I’m calling you out. I trust you, now it’s time to trust yourself. And it’s time for you to behave that way.
Posted in Authentic, Fear, Level 5 Courage, Positivity, Product Development, Seeing Things As They Are | 
Tags: Jedi
4 Responses to “Untapped Power of Self”
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Mike Shipulski
Fine statements with real life understanding of SME.
Mike,
Here at Fishman, this is our mantra. Great article. In our niche market of fluid dispensing, I always remind myself and others that we are SMEs. Of course when I wax eloquent about the nuances of fluid flow, changing viscosity and chemical rheology at social gatherings or to my husband, that glazed eye look quickly appears on faces…..
Wow, talk about timely. The designation of SMEs within the (new to us) DFX community is a current process, and I will likely be selected as the official SME on at least one of the Xs, probably Assembly. For 30+ years I have soaked up knowledge and parsed it out in mostly 1:1 mentoring situations. I have driven evolutionary culture change in at least 3 different Fortune 500 companies. Now I am in a position to share that experience with an entire DFX organization in the formative stages. An organization that ‘gets it’ and really takes DFX to heart. To make it work here will require me to step up and press the issues. I’ve seen it fail before and now I know why it failed. I’m going to do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen here. Thanx for the encouragement, perhaps we can meet at the DFMA conference.
@Ken W. – Look me up at the DFMA forum and we can spend some time thinking through your action plan. Best, Mike