4 of 10: What does Mastery look like?

4. Do you know what Mastery in your chosen career looks like? What are the technical and soft skills that are required?

How do you determine if you have mastered your chosen career? This question is a tough one because we are seeking to find some credibility or acknowledgement in a current culture that has many so-called experts or self-styled purveyors of "the" answer or the expert opinion. If that is the current state of your industry or not, focus your attention on the competencies that define Mastery rather than on fame or name recognition of the personality.

In whatever field of study or career there are names or companies that are part of the lexicon or most popular that you identify with Mastery. Who are those people or companies? Have they written a book? Who would your colleagues say is the resident expert or the thought leader of whatever career you are in or want to be in? Do you know them? Can you write them or call them or talk to them? Would you be bold enough to send them an email and promise to ask intriguing questions? See last week's post for more on talking with people.

Once you have identified whom or which particular company, try to separate their personality from their technical skills and competencies. Write down the things that they accomplished or do that make them the person or company that is requested to speak at the conferences. Simplify their accomplishments to observed behaviors or competencies they practice day in and day out to be considered Masters of their craft.

The following are some more questions that may help you define Mastery:

• Do you have to write a book or publish to obtain Mastery?
• Do you have to be recognized by a media personality as an authority?
• Do you have to be on television or the internet as a recognized expert?
• Do you need a blog or would it help to substantiate your Mastery level?
• What vehicle or medium is the best way to reach an audience with your knowledge?
• Does speaking at conferences constitute Mastery?

Once you have the list, begin to map out what you could do to obtain Mastery level expertise.

When you have obtained Mastery, what will you have to say? What are the competencies that you will have, technically or inter personally? Mastery is a lifetime. Mastery is defined by a career not a single position.

To be a Master in my career I will need to go and accomplish significant things and have others recognize those things for what they are or the difficulty it took to accomplish them.

Until next week...