"Expert In" AND a "Student Of"

Just read a very interesting post by Andrew Bryant in which he talks about the importance of Intentional Practice:

"Intentional Practice is perfect practice and perfect practice makes perfect. Intentional practice requires knowing “Why” you are doing what you are doing and complete “Attention” to the task."

It reminded me of the value of striving to be BOTH, "expert in" and a "student of".

Perhaps some examples would help:

• An Attorney can be both expert in intellectual property law and a student of litigation.
• An Architect can be both expert in residential housing and a student of eco-responsible design.
• A Musician can be both expert in music theory and a student of creative expressionism.
• An Executive can be both expert in getting things done and a student of leadership.
• A Life Coach can be both expert in asking the right questions and a student of the human condition.

Indeed, embracing the "mind of a student" often helps the Expert get past the ego-imposed limitations of not wanting to look foolish from, or be embarrassed by, not already know everything there is to know about their particular area of expertise.

Students continue to learn and grow as a matter of course. Experts, similarly, continue know and do with incredible skill.

Striving to be BOTH "expert in" AND a "student of" may take a fair amount of Intentional Practice, but it's most definitely a worthy goal.