There is an ongong debate between specialists who have expertise in a limited area, versus generalists who have divergent skills in a variety of areas. Mainstream society generally favours specialists over generalists, partly due to their perceived expertise and educational credentials. However, in today’s uncertain, complex and increasingly volatile world there are growing questions as to whether or not our education system can afford to remain limited to narrow specializations.
But the real dichotomy is not generalists versus specialists, but whether we have learning choices that enable us to experiment across different domains. This stems from a new debate on what skillset we need to navigate an uncertain future. No one specific skill will be enough in the future. Instead, we need a way of thinking that connects multiple fields, says Vikram Mansharamani of Harvard University.
This article explains that innovation needs “deep generalists or modern-day polymaths, whose knowledge is deeper than that of generalists and broader than that of specialists.” It’s an interesting read that illustrates a need for education and professional development opportunities that will contribute to leaders who are deep generalists able to practice a way of thinking that connects multiple fields and cross-disciplinary thinking. If you are a polymath, you probably already know it but this quick, fun quiz about yourself can help you learn more.
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