Does Money Create "Expert" Status?

Question For You: Do you think one of the criteria for being called a credible expert is being wealthy?

I'm sure your immediate answer was, "no." But, there is evidence which indicates expert status is often tied to financial success.

Great Example....

Look at the top 10 Influencers on Linkedin and ask yourself how many of them you think are wealthy. I bet you'll say, "All of them."

While I'm not sure if they're all financially successful (Okay, who are we kidding? Richard Branson isn't hurting for cash!), I do see a direct correlation between top experts being perceived as wealthy as a result of their expertise - and in some cases, their wealth is what created their expert status.

Yet, Credibility Comes in Many Forms

There are many ways in which people get validation as an expert. (Here's an article on what it takes to be an expert.) Besides wealth, over the years people have used their degrees, professional success, books they've published, etc. as a means for establishing their credibility.Take some time to scroll down the list of more than 400 experts on Linkedin and you'll see a wonderfully diverse group of people - and not all of them are rich.

Social Media Has Expanded the Number of Experts

Moreover, now that social media, and more specifically, blogging has become mainstream, the ability to become a credible expert has been opened up to a larger population.

The upside is we now have a greater selection of experts to choose from. The downside is we have to wade through the crowd to find the experts that are best for us.

This is How I Find Experts to Follow

For me, it's about the message. I admire experts who can convey ideas in a way that make me think in new ways. I love to be surprised. As I get older, I find it harder and harder to be wowed. When someone shares something with me that expands my knowledge unexpectedly, I pay attention. And, when they do it several times in a row, I look for ways to access their work on a regular basis.

How Do YOU Identify Credible Experts?

What constitutes an expert for you? How do you find and follow people you can learn from? Better still, what experts are you following right now and why?

I'd love to see your answers in the comments below.

If you want to read more of what I've written, check out my articles on Inc.com.

P.S. - First time reading my posts? Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Not only do I write for Linkedin, but I'm also the founder of a popular career advice site,CAREEREALISM,and currently run the job search and career development company,CareerHMO. I hope you'll check them both out!

If you enjoyed reading this article, you may also like:

• 10 Things Recruiter Won’t Tell You (But I Will)
• How Four Words Control Your Career Decisions
• Worst LinkedIn Summary Ever
• 10 Reasons Happy People Get More Job Opportunities
• 3 Techniques To Fight Unemployment Stigma

CAREEREALISM’s Founder, J.T. O’Donnell is a nationally syndicated career expert and workplace consultant who helps American workers of all ages find greater professional satisfaction. Her book,CAREEREALISM: The Smart Approach to a Satisfying Career, outlines her highly successful career-coaching methodology. Purchase her e-book of CAREEREALISM for only $9.95 by clicking here!

Image by Shutterstock