When he interviews a prospective hire for an engineering role, Goodman also looks for other interests that can give him insight into what the person is like. For example, does he or she have an interest in things like music and art, and not just physics and math? he said, utilizing both the technical skills that are associated with the left side of the brain and the creativity from the right side.

"It’s a bonus when you can get someone who is … left-brain, right brain," Goodman said.

OTHER RESOURCES:

FORBES: Leading sales trends expected to drive success in 2017

Here is Altman's recent article in which he cites the value of SMEs.

HUBSPOT: 5 tips on how to use a subject matter expert in a sales meeting

This article from 2015 equates the role of an SME in a sales meeting with that of a key player coming off the bench to play an important role in a basketball game.