Let’s play some word association, shall we?

I say “Expert.”  You say: ___________?

I say “Friend.”  You say: ___________?

Here’s how I completed this exercise.

Expert: Authority

Friend: Trust

What’s the point?

I was reading Mark Silver’s Heart of Business Blog this morning.  (Check it out here.) In this post on the expert v. friend role of the the blogger/business owner, he says the following:

“When someone is hurting, it’s easy to go into “expert” mode to try to fix them, because *you* are uncomfortable with their struggle. It’s never fun to watch a client struggle to get a business going when their home is at risk of foreclosure, or to struggle with illness when their life is on the line.

When you find [the] acceptance in your heart for their situation, then you won’t be using your expert status to create distance from their pain. And they will trust you more.”

Does it have to be ‘either or?’

When free associating earlier, my responses, at first, seemed separate - disjointed; as if the expert and the friend are two separate entities.  But a true leader can be both expert and friend as Mark suggests.

I think Mark’s point is well intentioned.  It’s also accurate when we think of the charismatic leader of a blog-religion.

Leaders need to be able to inspire followers, but there must be some substance, some inspirational quality within the leader in order for followers to, well…follow.

Leaders aren’t just self-appointed (are you listening, Mr. Limbaugh?), they’re developed over time.  The development often takes years and usually occurs well before anyone decides, “Hey, I think I’ll follow you!”

Leaders of blog-religions should be, in order to be truly effective, both expert and friend.

Mark’s post talks about how to blend the two roles in your responses to readers and in writing your articles and blog posts.

“Expert mode” is just that – a mode.  It tends to create distance between you and your followers.  Being an expert is something entirely different. It’s the state where you always have the welfare of your follower in mind.

Perhaps it’s why gurus, experts, mentors and leaders of all kinds get a bad rap every once in a while.  Perhaps they post first, and think later.  Better to switch that around, don’t ya think?

Have a different opinion? Think I’m all wet?  Please share your comment below!