That may sound like a hustle—and it can be—but distributing credibility via certifications is totally legitimate and so common that it’s almost invisible. Whether a high school diploma or a college degree, state board license or driver’s license, Social Security card or passport, or any industry certification, the structure is the same:

1. A trusted industry expert or organization or company or entity requires a minimum standard for identity, knowledge and/or performance and offers a certification that, if achieved, sprinkles Magic Credibility Dust on the heads of…
2. Folks meeting the minimum standard and proving their abilities, who can then show the cert to…
3. Other folks wanting third-party verification

Read the full article »