When Generalists Are Better Than Specialists, and Vice Versa
hbr.org
Saved by Supritha S and
When Generalists Are Better Than Specialists, and Vice Versa
Nothing can substitute for depth of analysis, and there's proven value in specialization – it's what education, career paths, scientific research, and technological innovation are built on – but generalism is a secret talent.
People who appreciate diversity, who are in the know about the wider world and who understand how things interact are invalua... See more
People who appreciate diversity, who are in the know about the wider world and who understand how things interact are invalua... See more
Steve Hardy • What Specifically Do Generalists Do?
Generalists have the advantage of interdisciplinary knowledge, which fosters creativity and a firmer understanding of how the world works. They have a better overall perspective and can generally perform second-order thinking in a wider range of situations than the specialist can.
Shane Parrish • The Generalized Specialist: How Shakespeare, Da Vinci, and Kepler Excelled
A generalist is a person who is a competent jack of all trades, with lots of divergent useful skills and capabilities; A specialist is someone with distinct knowledge and skills related to a single area.