Maven (formerly archaically spelled mavin) is a person who is skilled in a particular activity or field. The term “maven” comes from the Yiddish word meyvn, meaning one who understands, based on an accumulation of knowledge. Mavens are considered experts or connoisseurs and tend to be passionate about their subject matter. They accumulate knowledge slowly, over time. A maven often enjoys sharing this knowledge with others and may be known as a teacher.
Mavens are different from experts in that they have extensive domain knowledge but also know how to apply it to solve problems. They tend to be generalists rather than specialists and are able to see the big picture while still attending to details.
Mavens are not only knowledgeable but also opinionated and persuasive. They have strong views on what is right and wrong and can be very convincing when arguing their point of view. This quality makes them excellent salespeople, marketers, and educators.
While mavens can be found in any field or profession, they are particularly prevalent in areas where there is a lot of information or change happening rapidly. These include fields such as technology, fashion, business, investing, politics, and education.