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I am not sure I buy the authors argument. I am not even sure if I am clear about how the author defines a generalist and specialist!! The way the world knowled

I am not sure I buy the authors argument. I am not even sure if I am clear about how the author defines a generalist and specialist!! The way the world knowledge is evolving, there is a blurring of what we call specialist and generalist. For e.g. If you are a medical researcher, then knowledge of biology, biochemistry, software development (simulation anyone) and maths is required. Now is this specialisation or being generalist? To me specialists go deeper and solver harder problems. They work on a problem or set of problems in the same space for years together. Generalists span either multiple disciplines and leverage the connections or have an overview of the field and jump between sub knowledge every couple of years. And which is better? It all depends on context! In a space which has higher population of specialist then generalist will be more successful as they will be able to tap into multiple peoples work which a specialist will find harder to do. In case there are many generalists in a given space then specialisation is the way to go as you can take up problems that generalists will never be able to see or solve. For me it's all about context.

miemo23 6y ago
If there are many generalists in a given space, doesn't that make them specialists? And you'd just be more-specialised? Can you think of an example of when this might have occurred? Seems by that line of thinking today's specialists are tomorrow's generalists, even if they do nothing differently.
noodle 6y ago
> And which is better? It all depends on context! I long considered myself a generalist because I typically work with early stage startups to get them going and growing, and that requires being competent at many things, wearing many hats. I now position myself as a specialist at growing early stage startups, because that wide of a skillset is exactly what you need to be successful in that context. In many cases, its about how you frame it.
- loteck 6y ago
  You specialize in generalism?
kyrra 6y ago
If really recommend the book that the article is about. I'm a few chapters in (started it a few weeks) and it's a fun read so far with some interesting stories and data.

miemo23 6y ago

If there are many generalists in a given space, doesn't that make them specialists? And you'd just be more-specialised? Can you think of an example of when this might have occurred? Seems by that line of thinking today's specialists are tomorrow's generalists, even if they do nothing differently.

noodle 6y ago

> And which is better? It all depends on context! I long considered myself a generalist because I typically work with early stage startups to get them going and growing, and that requires being competent at many things, wearing many hats. I now position myself as a specialist at growing early stage startups, because that wide of a skillset is exactly what you need to be successful in that context. In many cases, its about how you frame it.

loteck 6y ago
You specialize in generalism?

kyrra 6y ago

If really recommend the book that the article is about. I'm a few chapters in (started it a few weeks) and it's a fun read so far with some interesting stories and data.