The world has about 3.32 billion employed people today. While we can’t say what exact positions they hold or in what capacities they work, we know one thing for sure. Some of them are generalists, and some are specialists.
Companies have different expectations of their workers. Some require laser-focused abilities in specific fields, while others prefer comprehensive knowledge and skills.
So, who wins the toss-up between specialists and generalists? Is there even a comparison? Let’s dive in.
What Does a Specialist Do?
A specialist has spent a lot of time honing their expertise in a particular field. They have usually completed advanced studies, training, and experience in their chosen area of focus. When working in a company, they are often the go-to resource for any subject that falls under their specialty.
Advantages of Being a Specialist
Specialists invest significant time, energy, and money to attain their high level of expertise. This sets them up for several advantages reserved only for professionals of their caliber.
Higher Compensation
This is possibly the most obvious perk of being a specialist in the corporate world. It often comes with significantly higher compensation than anyone with lower qualifications.
Less Competition
Fewer people have the will to take on the challenge of becoming a specialist because of the massive amount of work that goes into it. Hence, specialists are relatively few, which means fewer people compete for their positions.
Opportunities to Become a Thought Leader
Specialists are more than just trusted resources in the workplace. Their influence can go far beyond.
With their proven proficiency, they can become influencers who help shape the future of industries.
What Does a Generalist Do?
Generalists are people who have attained a broad range of knowledge and skills. They can work in several capacities within a company, handling different types of tasks from time to time. Unlike specialists, they do not restrict themselves to any single job description. They are adventurous people who like to acquire diverse experiences and collect lessons from them. Examples of a generalist would be a doctor, organic tea tree oil farmer, and veterinarian.
Advantages of Being a Generalist
Just like a specialist, a generalist also enjoys unique advantages. They may not have one single area of expertise, but their value lies in their ability to take on any task.
Career Flexibility
One of the most natural benefits of being a generalist is career flexibility. Because of their multi-competencies, these versatile experts can thrive wherever opportunities take them.
Departmental Connections
With varied capabilities, a generalist usually works with people from different departments within a company. It also means more chances to establish connections everywhere.
Upper-Management Opportunities
Upper-management positions usually call for the ability to oversee multiple areas of operations. Generalists are ideally suited to these roles as “specialists” of the generality of things.
Specialists vs. Generalists: What’s the Verdict?
Understanding the roles of specialists and generalists makes it easy to see that there’s no contest between the two. Companies need both! Specialists provide the depths that establish them as authorities in their fields. On the other hand, generalists supply the widths that allow them to stretch their clout.
With too many specialists, an organization can implode upon itself; with too many generalists, it can dilute its market influence. As always, balance makes all the crucial difference.
