Stop the Title Chase: Dr. McKorley’s Plea for Young Professionals to Master Their Craft

Dr. Daniel McKorley, Group Chairman at McDan Group and a passionate advocate for youth entrepreneurship in his recent post has addressed a concerning trend he observes among young professionals on LinkedIn: the proliferation of self-proclaimed “CEOs,” “Business Managers,” and “Digital Experts” with seemingly superficial credentials. McKorley expresses concern that many individuals are prematurely adopting these titles based on limited learning experiences, such as short programs, online courses, or Coursera certificates, without possessing the depth of knowledge and practical skills required to truly embody these roles.

McKorley emphasizes that genuine expertise is not defined by self-proclaimed titles, but rather by demonstrable competence and the ability to consistently perform the challenging, often tedious, and demanding tasks associated with a particular role. He questions whether these individuals are truly capable of committing to the “deep, boring, backbreaking work” required to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skill. He underscores the importance of putting in the hours, day in and day out, until the work becomes familiar and second nature.

McKorley asserts that real expertise is evident in performance, not in mere talking, thinking, wishing, or planning. He stresses the paramount importance of “doing” and consistently executing tasks to develop true mastery.

Furthermore, McKorley highlights the necessity of repetition and consistent application of skills to achieve true expertise. By performing tasks “over and over and over,” individuals gain invaluable insights into loopholes, mistakes, nuances, and perspectives, ultimately achieving a comprehensive understanding that eliminates novelty. This undeniable working experience forms the foundation of genuine expertise.

McKorley criticizes the tendency for individuals to prioritize talking over doing, suggesting that this imbalance often contributes to a sense of not “nailing their niche.” He emphasizes that success stemming from expertise is not built on hype or self-promotion, but rather on consistency, discipline, and tangible proof of work. His message serves as a call for young professionals to prioritize practical application, dedication, and demonstrable results over superficial titles and self-proclaimed expertise.