Specialization Vs Generalization

Businesses worldwide have been into many dilemmas regarding talent management; one of these is called "specialisation vs generalisation". And this is an important one, since employees account for almost 70 per cent of the total business costs, on average. Similarly, on an individual level, we often think about where should we focus and which skills to develop in the long run. It's tricky to answer as both sides are backed with convincing arguments. But let me try anyway.

Specialisation vs generalisation - what's the difference?

Specialisation is about "segmenting big, labour-intensive tasks into workable subtasks that different workers can complete. Specialists are needed to complete such tasks: electricians, plumbers, and equipment operators. As these tasks necessitate pretty other skills, specialised workers are needed. Hence, specialisation enables employees to perform well in a specific activity.

Generalisation is contrary to specialisation. It's about having fundamental skills in multiple areas. For instance, project managers are usually generalists and have essential communication skills, organising, delegating, and managing. Generalisation is usually more important when starting a business as one may have to tackle diverse challenges simultaneously.

In between both, I think generalisation is more relevant today. Here is why:

David Epstein, in his book, "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in A Specialized World", utters, after closely analysing the world's top professionals and performers, that early specialisation is not the rule - it's an exception. He revealed that generalists, not specialists, are destined to excel in most fields, particularly in complex and changeable environments.

Although generalists often determine their path later, while they juggle various interests instead of focusing on one, in the end, they become more agile, more creative, and better at making connections.

Specialisation is helpful for the kinds of problems which occur in a predictable and closed-end system like a chess game. The modern business world is filled with challenges s which require us to deal with a new situations where we can't rely on a single source of wisdom.

Specialisation in a professional setting is still widespread. Most employers hire you to make a set selection of jobs tailored to your skillset. When we talk about career growth, the perfect solution is getting a job where one can uninterruptedly acquire new skills. Specialisation in a specific field equips you with quickly marketable skills.

However, a mix of both might be a better idea for a long-term plan. This is what is called becoming a "T-Shaped Person". A vertical bar of the "T" letter represents the depth & expertise in a single field, whereas the horizontal bar is the ability to apply knowledge in areas of expertise other than one's own.