Generalist vs Specialist

When I was growing up, I didn't think I was good at anything. I was average on the football field. I had average grades. I attended an average college. I knew a lot of about a broad range of subjects. I was mediocre at most things. My career has followed a similar track. I've moved from one consulting project to the other. I've switched industries, roles, and organizations more than most. I am constantly looking for the next thing. Curiously learning about how the specialists do their job. The last decade of my career has been spent gaining a broad range of skills and perspectives. I'm deep on a few skills, but at the end of the day, I'm a generalist, not a specialist.

Being a generalist is okay. Specialists have superpowers in a specific industry, skill set, business function, etc. They are considered the go to expert in the organization on a specific topic. Bosses tend to notice specialists more, they are easily noticed and rewarded. However, there are aspects of being a generalist that will take you further.

Generalists are always learning new things. The more experiences a generalist has, the higher the likelihood she understands what the specialist does. Generalists know they are not experts but their ability to pull back and provide a point of view is important to the organization.

Generalists are able to adapt to change better. They can shift focus and dive deep into a new subject area. They can take on tasks outside of their job duties. Generalists learn how other people do their job so they can be equipped to work with them. They tend to think strategically and not get caught up in the weeds.

The really good generalists are the ones that put their ego in check. They are humble and have a willingness to learn. They know they do not know everything. They are the glue that keeps it all together. There will always be specialists.

In my career, I have at times been discouraged with not being a specialist. They are easy to see, perform at a high level, and deserve the attention they receive as a result of their specialization. But, there is an equal high performer out there. The one who jumps into any task, learns as much as they can, and drives the train forward. They are good with people, put their ego in check, are curious, and help everyone. It's okay if you become a highly specialized generalist. The world needs us.