Experience takes dreadfully high school-wages, but he teaches like no other- Thomas Carlyle
Recently I was in India for a surgery. With no skill, competence or experience in that area or any form of medicine, I was totally at sea and succumbed completely to the experience(and of course competence) of the specialist at the hospital. Not that I could have done anything else.
There are many such situations in life wherein the imbalance or asymmetry in the experience is stark. And the person on the other side is aware of it. That you are going to do it only once. You are going to book a caterer for your wedding only once(hopefully!!). As a student, you are going to apply to university only once. Pick up funds for your start up from an angel investor only once. Go snorkelling in the Andamans with an expert once.
In all of these situations, the individuals or organisations that you are dealing with are fully aware that you will soon be gone while they would still be around. Subliminal power dynamics.
In such David V Golitath situations where the asymmetry is yawning, it is better to get a local guide who knows as much as the other expert but, is on your side, as your ally, your support, your navigator.
Little wonder it is said that students come and go while deans last for generations.
That said, being at ease with not knowing is crucial for answers to come to you.
ENDS