There’s a certain pressure that comes with being labeled a domain expert. Whether it’s the expectation to have all the answers or the weight of proving your expertise, it’s easy to fall into the trap of living up to the title. Over time, I’ve learned that expertise isn’t just about having solutions at hand—it’s also about how you handle the things you don’t know. It’s a delicate balance between confidence and humility that defines true expertise.

Confidence

Confidence is essential—it allows you to trust your instincts, share your knowledge, and make decisions when the moment calls for it. But confidence can easily tip into overconfidence, where the pressure to provide solutions becomes overwhelming, even beyond your area of expertise. This can lead to offering answers without enough information or dismissing valuable feedback in the rush to maintain your status as the expert.

True expertise lies in knowing when to contribute and when to acknowledge your limitations. Confidence also means stepping back when necessary, gathering more information, and understanding that collaboration often enhances your expertise. It means knowing when to stay quiet and listen, recognising that sometimes the best contributions come from absorbing others’ insights before sharing your own. At its core, confidence is about trusting your instincts while remaining open to learning.

True expertise is about much more than simply having the answers—it’s about how you approach the unknown with both humility and confidence.

Humility

A React developer I deeply respect once admitted that marketing himself as a React “expert” felt like the biggest mistake he ever made. He felt that being labeled the expert meant he always had to provide the answers, and he struggled with a sense of failure when he couldn’t. But there’s no shame in saying, “I’ll look into it,” or “I don’t know, but let’s figure it out.” In fact, people respect you more in the long run for being honest and transparent—this builds trust and encourages better collaboration.

At madewithlove, one of our core values is “we are human.” This means embracing humility and acknowledging that no one has all the answers. True expertise often shines brightest when we work together—when we pool our knowledge, ask thoughtful questions, and collaborate to build better solutions. Being an expert isn’t about having every answer yourself; it’s about recognising where you can contribute meaningfully and humbly within a collective effort.

Conclusion

In the end, true expertise is about much more than simply having the answers—it’s about how you approach the unknown with both humility and confidence. By embracing your limitations and seeking collaboration, you allow your knowledge to grow in ways you might not expect. Expertise is something that develops over time, shaped by how you listen, learn, and contribute to others. In a world that values quick answers, it’s often the quiet moments of reflection and collaboration that leave the most lasting impact.

Let your work speak for itself, and trust that authenticity will always leave a lasting impression.