GENERALIST OR SPECIALIST?

Early in my career, I was told by bosses, colleagues and peers that it’s better to be a specialist than a generalist when I expressed my desire to lead a marketing department for an award-winning brand. I was told that it’s better to be an expert in one area than a jack of all trades, a master of none. A saying that is often said in its incomplete form. The full saying goes ‘A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.’ Despite what I was told, I felt strongly, intuitively, that being a generalist was the right path for me. Before I get into the reasons why I chose the generalist path, first I’ll define what each means.

Generalist: A professional with a broad range of skills and knowledge across various areas within a field. They are capable of handling diverse tasks and responsibilities, adapting to different roles as needed. Generalists are valuable for their versatility and ability to integrate different functions, often providing a holistic perspective.

Specialist: A professional with deep expertise and knowledge in a specific area within a field. They focus on mastering their chosen niche, developing advanced skills, and staying updated with the latest trends and best practices. Specialists are valuable for their ability to provide high-quality, focused, and effective solutions to complex problems within their area of expertise.

Despite the unsolicited advice I received, I listened to my intuition and followed my passion.

We live in a society where we are often made to feel forced to identify or choose one thing over another. The most important thing is to trust your gut and choose the path that is right for you.

Undecided about which path to take? Take our quiz to find out which path best suits you.