Deep expertise: the human edge in an AI-driven world

Imagine a real organization —let’s call them company XYZ for now—embarking on a major transformation project. Their goal is clear: modernize operations, streamline processes, become future-proof. Initially, they consider bringing in external specialists, but the price tag gives them pause. Instead, they decide to save money by relying on an internal team that, while motivated, lacks experience with projects of this scale. On paper, it looks like a reasonable cost-cutting move. In reality, it’s a recipe for trouble.

Months later, the initiative is in disarray. The project runs way over budget and behind schedule, delivering only a fraction of the expected benefits. What seemed like a smart frugal choice has become a cautionary tale. Credibility with stakeholders has suffered; the team is frustrated and demoralized. In hindsight, the company was penny-wise and pound-foolish—saving a bit upfront only to pay far more in delays and fixes later. Unfortunately, this scenario is not an isolated case. It’s a pattern we see again and again across industries.

Research insight: Nearly 18% of large IT projects end up more than 50% over budget, and for those troubled projects, the average cost overrun is a staggering 447%. These aren’t just rare flukes—they’re symptoms of a widespread problem: underestimating complexity and underinvesting in deep expertise. Time and again, organizations try to cut corners on critical know-how, only to spend much more down the line on overruns, failures, and damage control.

Lessons for Companies

For organizations tackling high-stakes projects, a few key principles emerge:

• Don’t confuse cost-cutting with value creation. Slashing the budget on expert talent might look smart in the short term, but you’ll often spend far more later—on rework, firefighting delays, or patching up a tarnished reputation. Cheap shortcuts can lead to very expensive lessons.

• Focus your resources—don’t spread them thin. Trying to juggle too many initiatives at once, especially without enough seasoned people, dilutes impact. It’s better to do a few projects right than undertake many with mediocrity. Prioritize what truly matters and ensure your best people (and sufficient funding) are concentrated there.

• Reassess and prune projects regularly. Take a hard look at ongoing projects. If something isn’t delivering value or is perpetually behind, be willing to pause or stop it. Free up those resources and invest them where they can make a real difference. In other words, stop throwing good money (and time) after bad—redeploy it to your top priorities.

By heeding these principles, companies create an environment where deep expertise is valued as a strategic asset rather than seen as an optional expense. The most forward-thinking leaders we meet are open to rethinking their business models, embracing digitization (including AI), and leveraging experienced talent to navigate complexity. They know that investing in the right people and focusing on the right projects is ultimately an investment in better outcomes and greater value creation.

A Reminder for Experienced Professionals

If you’ve spent 20 or more years honing your craft, don’t underestimate the value you bring in today’s fast-changing landscape. You simply cannot fake genuine experience. Yes, we live in an era of powerful AI tools and ubiquitous information, but even the smartest AI cannot replace the tacit knowledge, judgment, and contextual insight earned through decades of hands-on work. In fact, your deep expertise, combined with new technologies, is often more powerful than either one alone. So, if you are a seasoned professional with a strong track record, here are some reminders for staying relevant and impactful:

• Know your worth. Take stock of what your deep expertise is truly worth to an organization. Talk to peers, mentors, and clients to calibrate how your skills translate into impact. Being aware of your unique value proposition will give you the confidence to contribute at a higher level.

• Connect your expertise to outcomes. It’s not enough to have experience—you need to articulate how it drives results. Does your work help grow revenue? Save costs? Mitigate risks? Frame your expertise in terms of tangible business outcomes. When you can clearly link your knowledge to a company’s bottom line or strategic goals, your expertise becomes twice as compelling.

• Keep your knowledge fresh. The world keeps moving forward, and even 30 years of experience can become outdated if you stop learning. Stay current with industry trends, evolving best practices, and emerging technologies. Embrace new tools (yes, including AI) that can complement your domain knowledge. Lifelong learning ensures that your hard-won experience remains relevant and continues to add value in the modern context.

And above all, strike the right balance in showcasing your expertise. Don’t be arrogant—but don’t be invisible either. Seasoned knowledge loses its impact if you come off as inflexible or ego-driven, just as it does if you sit quietly on the sidelines. Stay humble and curious, yet confident in what you have to offer. Let your expertise speak through your actions and results, backed up by a willingness to collaborate and learn. When others see you as both knowledgeable and approachable, your deep expertise will shine in the best possible light.

Conclusion: Invest in Expertise, Reap the Rewards

In an age of tight budgets and shiny new technologies, it’s tempting for both organizations and individuals to question the value of deep expertise. But the truth is, deep expertise pays for itself many times over. What really drains resources and derails goals is not the cost of experts—it’s the cost of not having them when they’re needed most. Stalled projects, blown budgets, missed opportunities, demoralized teams… mediocrity and missteps are far more expensive than bringing in the right expertise upfront.

Companies: Put your money where it counts. Empower your major initiatives with people who have “been there, done that.” That might mean hiring external specialists or cultivating internal experts (or both), even when they come at a premium. Especially in a data-rich, AI-augmented world, human expertise is the critical edge that turns technology into tangible results. Don’t let a short-sighted urge to save a few pennies sabotage your organization’s long-term success.

Experienced professionals: Step up and lead with your knowledge. Your hard-won experience is a powerful asset—so long as you use it with purpose and humility. Continue to adapt and upgrade your skills (for example, learn to leverage AI tools rather than shy away from them) so that you remain on the cutting edge of your field. Most importantly, be ready to make your case and make a difference: share your insights, mentor others, and take ownership of challenging problems. Your deep expertise can become a force multiplier for any team or project, multiplying the effectiveness of those around you.

In the end, the gap between a mediocre outcome and a stellar success often boils down to who is at the table when critical decisions are made. Make sure that table has someone seated who has walked the road before and learned the hard lessons. Both organizations and individuals thrive when they boldly invest in expertise where it truly matters.

Hope this inspires.

Paul Donkers

Paul P.J. Donkers is a global business coach and management consultant. Together with his partners at tèn company, he has spent decades working with leadership teams to navigate transformations and unlock sustainable value. You can find out more about their work at tencompany.org or through the Ikigai Coaching Institute. For a confidential conversation, feel free to reach out via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..