Generalist Vs Specialist
Should you become a generalist or specialist? I am a generalist; I will share my perspective.
Usually, a generalist is a mile wide and an inch deep, someone who has varied skills. A specialist is a mile deep and an inch wide, someone who is an expert in a particular field.
In organizations, generalists tend to have roles that are very loosely defined. On the other hand, specialists have narrower and more pronounced roles.
Generalists are great for early-stage startups where you are figuring out various aspects of the business from the product, customer, funding with limited resources, meaning everyone contributes to anything that needs attention. On the other hand, specialists thrive in more established environments, where one needs to go deep into a specific business segment, e.g. marketing for late-stage startups. Marketing is a skill that startups usually need once they have figured out their product market fitment. Modern-day marketing is so vast and varied that you need a specialist who can lead from planning to execution. This does not mean other functions don't need specialists, but functions such as marketing and operations need attention once a startup hits its growth stage.
Generalists are equally crucial in corporations in innovation and corporate strategy functions. They land up working across business units; operations, sales, marketing, HR, trying to figure out how to enable the business units to increase their top or bottom line.
Many leadership roles need a generalist mindset because you oversee multiple functions. On the other hand, a specialist in a leadership role leads specific projects and functions.
Try the generalist vs specialist litmus test: Ask yourself three questions:
Are you interested in a specific topic: Would you read a wide range of topics or a specific topic.
Are you someone who changes their mind often?
What is more essential for you depth or breath?
If you want to chat about it drop me a line: pritish@onepercent.live