How to get over going from expert to novice
The roller coaster of going from expert to novice
True story; when I stepped into my first hospital leadership role in 2012, I didn’t know what I didn’t know and it turned out to be a lot! I was an experienced midwife, excellent in that role, a leader in the profession and community. Those skills and my habit of showing up, speaking up and always suggesting improvements, helped get me the leadership role I wanted. There was just one catch, I did not really know the in’s and out’s of hospital management and it became very clear, very quickly that I had a lot to learn. The team was supportive but I really struggled with self-doubt. Clearly my charm and wit were not going to be enough. Every single day for two weeks, I drove in my driveway at the end of the day, determined to quit the following morning. I felt so defeated. I was experiencing a classic case of going from expert to novice. Instead of cruising through my day with confidence, I was stumbling and I hated that. By deciding to stick with it, find the courage to keep going, embrace a ‘good enough’ approach, take each action as a lesson and reframe my mindset, I ended up thriving in that role in pretty short order. I went on to grow and excel in other leadership positions that were far more demanding, and all because that experience taught me what I was capable of.
Going from expert to novice is very challenging, but it’s also a unique opportunity to grow in ways you never imagined. By shifting your mindset, embracing discomfort and sometimes the mess of it all, and celebrating your wins, you can turn this new stage of your career into one of the most empowering experiences you’ll have. This transition does not need to be something you just grind though. It can be a real game changer, setting you up for far more success. Being a learner in no way diminishes your value—it greatly expands it.
If you’re in the midst of this transition or thinking about taking it on, then you may by feeling a bit defeated and stuck. You’re not alone, I’ve been there as has everyone who is braze enough to learn a new role. So let’s dive in on how you can embrace this transition with confidence and ignite that bold move for your future. You can do this!
Understanding Why This Feels So Difficult
When you move from being an expert to a novice, you’re not just changing roles—you’re changing your sense of identity. Your brain and ego have become accustomed to feeling confident and in control. You may even be on auto-pilot sometimes as an expert. Perhaps you are taking this new challenge exactly because of that- you are a bit bored, restless and feeling stagnate. Careful, what you wish for, right? Shifting to something new, where you no longer have all the answers, can feel like a threat. It’s important to acknowledge this and understand that it’s not a reflection of your abilities but rather a part of the learning and growth process. It is also a way in which we protect ourselves from risk of failure- sowing self-doubt about our abilities and then sometimes stopping us from making a move. If this sounds at all familiar, you are in the company of a countless amount of women who are telling themselves stories that are just not true. For more on this, read my upcoming Blog Post - How to Stop Playing Small.
There are so many reasons why you are finding being thrust into the novice role tough going. As an expert, you had a degree of control over your work environment and outcomes. As a novice, you might feel overwhelmed by not knowing what you don’t know. That can feel extremely uncomfortable and make you feel as though you are losing control.
You may worry that others will see you struggling and judge you for it. This is especially true if you are used to being viewed as the “go-to” person. The fear of being judged can prevent you from stepping fully into your new role. No one wants to be seen as not being up for the task and we certainly don’t want to be judged by others in a negative light.
These fears - losing control and being judged are normal and they will come up when you transition from expert to novice. But they do not need to define you, nor get in your way. It can help to normalize what you’re experiencing though. It’s not just you—most people experience these feelings when transitioning from expert to novice. The trick is in figuring out how to navigate them and keep moving forward. Here are a few things you can put in place to get over the struggle that transitioning from expert to novice brings.
Start By Reframing Your Novice Mindset
Instead of seeing yourself as a beginner and feeling less-than, start by reframing your situation. Remember to tell yourself that in fact, you are not starting over from zero—you’re building on a foundation of experience and insight that your already have and that others in your new position don’t. How did you get here? Someone, yourself included I hope, saw your worth and believed that you could do this. When you adopt a learner mindset rather than a beginner mindset, you’ll start reframing all that self-doubt. Go all in on being a learner- embrace what that means: you’re open to new things, curious and willing to try. This is a real opportunity to expand and develop in ways that are not always available when you are locked into the expert role and a particular area of expertise.
Remember you have a set of skills and strengths you’ve gained in your previous expert role that apply to this new one. Leading, problem-solving, and communication skills will continue to serve you, even if the people may be new and the technical aspects are different. Keep track your progress, no matter how small and celebrate your wins every single day. Everything you learn, every new challenge or obstacle you overcome and every time you step out of your comfort zone is a victory worth celebrating. These small wins build confidence and motivation and remind you of who you really are. Revisit your WHY - what made you go for this new role in the first place? What motivated you to make a change? Reconnecting with your purpose and your hopes will help you navigate those moments of doubt. Sometimes you can get so overwhelmed you forget your WHY, so it is really important to reflect on it and your goals and aspirations. When you drive home at the end of the day, I know you may be exhausted from it all but I also want you to feel validated and worthy. You are exactly where you need to be.
Just like learning to drive, being a novice at anything can be hard.
Take it One Step at a Time
Let me ask you this; assuming you drive, how did that feel the first time you tried? For most of us, me included, it was a bit of a train wreck. I got out of the car my father was trying to teach me in and walked home more than a few times! Now? I don’t even think about, I just do it. It’s probably the same for you. You are so skilled at it now, you don’t even remember when it was a struggle. Just like learning to drive or speak a new language, transitioning from being an expert to a novice isn’t easy, and news flash - it’s not supposed to be! It is, though, a rich opportunity for growth, development, and continued success. You’ve taken a bold step by embracing change, and while the journey can be daunting, the skills, insights, and resilience you are gaining will last you a lifetime.
Start to see that each new role, business, or career shift is your opportunity to expand your expertise even further. Honestly this is a gift to yourself, and to others as you grow into an expert once again. Please be kind and patient with yourself, seek support when you need it, and remember that EVERY EXPERT WAS ONCE A BEGINNER.
Now it’s your turn—how are you reframing your novice mindset? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s support each other as we journey from novice to expert together.