For all those of you who are not "professionals" with deep experience in any one field, your time has come! At least according to Harvard lecturer Vikram Mansharamani. Read the entire article following the link, or see excerpts I have selected below:
His advice is that the "skill" needed for the future is not really a skill but more an approach, a philosophy and a way of thinking. "Breadth of perspective and the ability to connect the proverbial dots (the domain of generalists) is likely to be as important as depth of expertise and the ability to generate dots (the domain of specialists)." he says.
"To begin, it’s important to zoom out and pay more attention to the context in which you’re making decisions. Read the whole paper, not just the section about your industry. Is your primary focus oil and gas? Study the dynamics affecting the retail sector. Are you a finance professional? Why not read a book on marketing? Think bigger and wider than you’ve traditionally done."
"If you’re relatively new to the workforce, my advice is to manage your career around obtaining a diversity of geographic and functional experiences. The analytical capabilities you develop (e.g. basic statistical skills and critical reasoning) in the process will fare well when competing against those who are more focused on domain-specific skill."
So, as women, if we are already good at multitasking, good at keeping an eye on multiple things, good at being more adaptable, being a generalist should not be a stretch huh? At least this research supports that thinking!!
Check out his article in "Make It"....it makes sense at face value, but whether employers will back this kind of thinking, whether the HR specialists think it is credible, I guess time will tell. But I did want to pass this on to all QV Women out there.....
#generalist #womenandmultitasking #thinkforyourself #hbrpress #mansharamani
I agree. However, the focus of this person's research pertains to the viability of generalists vis a vis the 'type' of jobs that are more available now / will be available in the future.
I think that is where the advantage of being a generalist makes one valuable....there will always be a place for specialists, as long as their area of expertise is still required in the marketplace, as you have said!!