Everyone aspires to become a specialist. Specialists are highly praised and often seen as superstars. Specialists deserve the recognition for their incredible skills and expertise. Progress in society has created a need for specialists who have an in-depth knowledge and complex skills. In recent decades, we have seen a rise in sub-specialties. Experts in a very narrow discipline are very sought after. Being a generalist is like being a “jack of all trade”. As the saying goes, “jack of all trades are masters of none.” Generalists are often perceived as an ‘inferior’ option as they are not the superstars. The very fact that generalists are not the superstars is one of their superpowers.
Multipotentialite
Emilie Wapnick coined the term “multipotentialite” as someone with many interests and creative pursuits. Generalists are true multipotentialites. They have an ability to see the big picture and keep an open mind as opposed to monopotentialites whose knowledge are limited to one discipline. Generalists have a breadth of knowledge and a unique set of skills to excel in the full spectrum of a variety of fields. The best generalists know the limit to their depth of knowledge and are acutely aware when to consult specialists.
Generalists thrive on always learning new knowledge and adapting themselves to improve their practice. They often jump in wherever needed to pick up the pieces others have forgotten. Without a linchpin that holds the various parts together, the whole thing falls off. Generalists communicate with other specialists and understand their perspectives. This puts them in a unique position to always see the big picture. Like a linchpin, the generalist connects and holds each part together thereby supporting cohesive work. You might have read until now and still don’t know.
Should I be a generalist or a specialist?
It’s not an easy career decision. What if you could find a middle ground? Generalist and specialist do not have to be mutually exclusive. A generalized specialist is someone who has roughly the same breath of knowledge as a generalist with at least one deep area of expertise.
Leonardo da Vinci was a perfect example of a generalized specialist. He is renowned primarily for his paintings and drawings. Da Vinci was also interested in architecture, engineering, music, literature, mathematics, botany, and history. His application of combined interdisciplinary knowledge from botany and mathematics are reflected in his paintings. The Mona Lisa is the most famous of his works.
Johannes Kepler was a mathematics teacher who became interested in astronomy. If you are interested in astronomy, you might have heard of Kepler’s law of planetary motions. Kepler revolutionized our knowledge of planetary motion by combining physics and optics.
Whether you are a specialist, a generalist or a generalised specialist, each category has its place in the world. Ultimately, you need to consider your personal interests and what category fits you.
