In a fast-paced world that seems to require us to specialize as much as possible in order to succeed, being a generalist may seem like an old-fashioned romantic cult.

Is it, though?

Specializing in a specific skill or niche can be practical and profitable nowadays. A straightforward path to career success.

But what about those who get fulfilled by getting their hands dirty with many things at once and haven’t found (or they don’t want to find) their “one true calling”, the so-called generalists?

Is it necessary to be a specialist?

I struggled with that notion for years.

After studying Economics for my Bachelor’s, I knew that politics was a field where I would like to gain more experience.

So in the following years, I continued with a Master’s in European Studies, then Political Communication, and eventually, I got real working experience working with politicians.

But then I wanted to get involved in the private sector too. So I worked for a communications agency and am now a freelance communications consultant and content writer.

Even in one specific field, though, the roles can be endless: content marketer, email marketer, SEO specialist, technical copywriter, ads specialist, P.R. specialist, social media manager, brand strategist.

The list can go on and on.

Being a generalist in such a specialized world seems almost like a rebel act.

But it’s not always bad. And the truth is that it has some major advantages.

Generalists vs specialists

Before we get into them, let’s see what we mean by “generalist” and “specialist”.

A specialist is someone who has chosen to focus their skills and knowledge on one particular area. They’re the deep divers, the ones who go all-in on one subject. Think of a heart surgeon, a tax lawyer, or a data scientist. They’ve spent years, sometimes decades, sharpening their skills in one specific area.

On the other hand, a generalist is someone who has a broad range of skills and knowledge. They are curious, always eager to learn new things, and have various interests. They might not have the same depth of knowledge as a specialist in any one area, but they make up for it with their breadth of understanding across multiple areas.

Both paths have their merits and can lead to fulfilling and successful careers.

But today, I’m going to concentrate on the often overlooked yet crucial contributors in the professional world, the generalists.

The advantages of being a generalist

Now that we’ve got the definitions straight, let me tell you why being a generalist can be a good thing in today’s world. Here are 3 major advantages of being a generalist:

1. Flexibility and adaptability

As a generalist, you have a wide range of skills and knowledge at your disposal. This makes you incredibly versatile. You can quickly adapt to different roles and tasks, making you a valuable asset to any team.

In today’s rapidly changing world, flexibility is a huge advantage. Industries evolve, job roles change, and new technologies emerge.

The most relevant example is the A.I. revolution, which is shaking entire industries that seemed safe from automation until recently.

Take, for instance, fields such as writing and design. Everyone thought that these roles would be the last to be replaced, given their requirement for creative skills, which were deemed difficult for A.I. models to replicate. Now they are the ones under the most significant threat.

As a generalist, you’re well-equipped to adapt to these changes, though. You’re not tied to one specific field, so you can pivot and learn new skills as needed without running the risk of becoming obsolete.

2. Innovation and creativity

Maybe the more significant advantage of generalists is their innovation and creativity. Those generalists’ qualities cannot be overstated; they are backed up by dozens of studies.

Having a broad knowledge base means you can draw connections between different fields and develop creative solutions. You’re able to see the bigger picture and think outside the box.

While the specialists often come up with great ideas within their field, it’s often the generalists who can connect the dots and see how an idea from one area could be applied to another.

To illustrate, Brian Uzzi, a professor at the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, analyzed more than 26 million scientific papers and concluded that the most impactful papers usually have teams with atypical combinations of backgrounds.

In “Range: Why generalists triumph in a specialized world”, one of the most popular books on the subject, author David Epstein, after examining some of the world’s most successful athletes, scientists, inventors and artists, discovered that generalists are better equipped to succeed in most fields (and especially in those that are complex). Also, he states that they are more agile and can make connections that specialists can’t.

Additionally, in a study in the field of R&D, researchers point out that depth of knowledge alone is insufficient to drive innovation and generate a competitive advantage. And they continue arguing that generalists are more critical to companies since the ability to make interdisciplinary connections is crucial for generating explorative research.

By now, there is substantial proof that organizations that want to be innovative benefit from hiring diverse employees, not only specialists.

3. Leadership and management qualities

Generalists often have a better understanding of how different fields intersect and influence each other. This can be incredibly valuable in roles that require a big-picture view, like C-level executive roles.

In a management or strategy role, understanding how different departments work together can lead to more effective decision-making. According to research, generalist CEOs incite innovation because they have knowledge that goes well beyond their business field and possess skills that could be applied in other areas if a project fails.

Also, another study, after comparing generalist and specialist CEOs, found that generalists make an additional acquisition every 4 years and are 60% more likely to make a diversifying acquisition (outside the firm’s sector). Also, generalist CEOs get 10% higher salaries than specialist CEOs. Additionally, a study on Chinese firms between 2002 and 2018 also confirmed that generalist top executives conduct more mergers and acquisitions (M&As) than specialist ones while improving investment efficiency.

Finally, according to research on MBA graduates who went into investment banking, specialized students were less likely to get multiple job offers and higher signing bonuses than those with a broader background.

Real-world examples of successful generalists

Some of the world’s biggest innovators have been generalists.

Take the case of Steve Jobs. Sure, he had a deep understanding of technology, but he also had a broad knowledge of design, calligraphy, and more. It was this combination of skills and knowledge that allowed him to create innovative products like the iPhone.

Or consider Elon Musk. He’s running companies in completely different fields – electric cars, space travel, or even tunnel digging. He’s able to do this because he’s a generalist. He has a broad understanding of different fields and can see how they can intersect in innovative ways.

Going back in time, we can remember other infamous generalists. One of them was Leonardo Da Vinci. Although he was certainly a figure with deep knowledge in specific fields of interest, like painting, he also made significant contributions in other areas such as engineering, anatomy, botany, geology, mathematics, and optics.

And let’s not forget Benjamin Franklin, the Founding Father of the U.S. Apart from politics and diplomacy, he had broad knowledge and excelled in many fields, from electricity to meteorology and printing.

How to leverage your skills as a generalist

If specializing doesn’t fit your style, it’s anything but a problem. As a generalist, though, it’s important to make the most of your skills. So, here are a few tips:

• Highlight your adaptability: When applying for jobs or talking to potential clients, highlight your ability to adapt and learn new skills. This is your competitive advantage and a valuable trait in today’s fast-paced world.
• Keep learning: As a generalist, your strength is your broad knowledge base. Keep expanding it. Learn about new fields, new technologies, and new methods. This will keep you adaptable and innovative. If you are a true generalist, you should never get tired of learning new things and being curious.
• Find your intersection: While you don’t need to specialize in one area, it can be helpful to find an intersection of fields that you’re particularly interested in. This can give you a unique edge. For example, if you’re interested in both technology and psychology, you could focus on areas where these fields intersect, like user experience design or artificial intelligence.

Conclusion: Generalists have a place in the future of work

It’s true that “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.”

And it’s also true that “the fox knows many things; the hedgehog one big thing”.

There is no good or bad in being a generalist or a specialist since they both have unique benefits.

But nowadays, you may feel like a small fish in a big pond if you are not an expert in something.

My purpose with this piece was to break this idea and describe what generalists have to offer in the world.

As industries continue to evolve and intersect in new ways, there will be a growing need for people who can bridge different fields and bring a broad perspective.

So, if you’re a generalist, take pride in your wide-ranging skills and knowledge.

And keep on learning.