“No, madam, it took me my whole life.”

I was recently reminded of a famous Picasso anecdote, when he was approached by a lady while sketching in the park.

As the story goes, she recognised him, begged him for a portrait. Reluctantly he agrees to the request to work, and in a matters of minutes gives her a sketch that captures her real essence.

Over the moon, the lady asks how much she owes him for the piece.

“5000 francs, madam,” says Picasso.

Incredulous, the woman asks how that’s even possible given it only took him a few minutes.

Picasso looks up and, without a pause, says:

… “No, madam, it took me my whole life.”

–

We come across so many subject experts undervaluing the value of their knowledge and skills.

That’s often because they are trapped in a ‘time for money’ mindset.

Imposter syndrome also plays a part. They’ve accrued years of experience implementing this stuff in the real world. Yet they continue to undersell their value and struggle to have the impact they’ve always aspired to.

Our view:

We need authentic experts more than ever. We live in a world where AI gives anyone the tools to position themselves as a thought leader overnight without ever sweating the small stuff over years and years.

• So lean into your stories and scars.
• Share the big wins and the cock-ups too.
• Tell your services through your clients successes.
• Use online technologies to have more impact and reach more people.
• Finally, have more confidence with your pricing – as L’Oreal say “you’re worth it”.

It’s taken your whole life to develop the skills and knowledge you’ve acquired. Don’t undersell it!