Certain Quote by Marge Piercy
“One trouble: to be a professional anything in the United States is to think of oneself as an expert and one's ideas as semisacred, and to treat others in a certain way - professionally.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Professional" (1990)
Professionalism often creates a hierarchy that elevates expertise to a near‑sacred status, shaping interactions.
In simple terms: Expertise can become overly revered.
Key Takeaway
Question the sanctity of professional authority.
Themes
workplace
expertise
hierarchy
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
social
philosophical
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- peer review
- client relations
Key Concepts
sociology
power dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- When does expertise become a barrier?
- How can we balance confidence with humility?
A Different Perspective
Rigid expertise can stifle collaboration.
