BizSugar.com › Startups › Don’t Be Afraid to Be An Expert

A few months ago, I was interviewed for an article entitled, “Making Money as an Industry Expert” for the national Chamber of Commerce site. This was really quite an honor, and I was thrilled to contribute. During that interview, and in the weeks after it, I spent a bit of time thinking about where I was just a few years ago, and how far I’ve come to get where I am today.

You see, I spent two and a half years working in an environment where egos were fragile, and everyone seemed to be walking on eggshells nearly every day. Not all, but many of the partners at this accounting firm needed regular “stroking,” and those that brought up differing opinions were quickly quieted or eventually left. I was an outsider in this environment, hired because I came to the table with a different set of skills. I jumped in with both feet. There were those who supported me in my efforts, but more who were bothered that they were no longer “in charge” of what was going on.