What makes someone an expert?

There has been a lot of talk over the past 24 hours about who is an expert in the domain industry. What makes someone an expert? There are obviously no set rules or definitions. Some will say if you have no verifiable public domain name sales you are not an expert. But there are private people who possess great expertise that are not a part of the day to day community. And just because you got lucky and sold a few names that does not necessarily make you an expert on domaining.

Because someone speaks at a conference does that make them an expert? I know many who have been asked that turned it down who most would not consider an expert. One who is a friend, told me he turned it down because he had no great trait that made him feel deserving of addressing a crowd.

Harvard Business Review has an interesting article on the topic of experts.

I remember George Pickering had a great line many years, “I have never seen an industry with so much hero worship, especially one devoid of any real heroes.”

For others someone like Rick or Frank transformed their lives. When SevenMile.com was rocking back in the day, many worshiped at the Church of Schilling.

Namepros polls have shown the majority are part time or hobbyists.

This is such a subjective topic, so I will open it up to the readers, since everyone is part of the community and it should be inclusive.

For you what makes someone an expert? Who do you consider an expert?