BEING A GENERALIST VS BEING A SPECIALIST: PROS AND CONS

If you are seeking a career, you can either be a generalist, who knows many skills and ideas, or a specialist, who focuses on one topic. The daily operations of successful companies are handled by both generalists and specialists. Here are some pros and cons of both:

? A generalist is one who has a broad range of knowledge that goes beyond his or her own domain.
? A specialist is one who has a deep understanding of a specific domain.

? A generalist is typically preferred by small businesses to take advantage of their wide range of skills rather than hiring a specialist for each task.
? A specialist is typically preferred by companies that experience quick changes in development or production to help generate new ideas.

? A generalist has a multitude of skills that are transferable to many jobs.
? A specialist can specialize in a particular field and may lack transferable skills to a multitude of jobs.

? A generalist typically holds leadership roles since they manage multiple tasks across teams, provide insights into the market, and are able to negotiate between two parties.
? Specialists focus their knowledge on a specific topic or area, making them subject matter experts that can lead to consulting opportunities.

? A generalist is focused on a relatively stable and predictable work pace to stay efficient.
? A specialist is focused on learning and staying up-to-date on one subject, so they are more likely to be progressive.

? A generalist benefits from interdepartmental connections, networking, career flexibility, adaptability, and knowledge across domains
? A specialist benefits from better pay, fewer competitors, and being an expert with specific knowledge.

? A generalist struggles to get their worthiness recognized, lacks job security, and becomes exhausted by multitasking.
? A specialist struggles with the constant need to upskill, to avoid becoming obsolete, and has lesser career options.

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