Skip to main content

The Demise of the Generalist

I'm reading What Would Google Do? by Jeff Jarvis and there is a line in there that got me thinking. "The notion of providing a one-size-fits all product that does everything for everyone is a vestige of an era of isolation." I wonder if that applies to consulting services as well.
In my world of management consulting, I've spent the past 9 years as a generalist. Albeit I have a supply chain management or operations consulting label - but I still can't tell you that I have innate expertise in anything.

We've all heard it before. "Jack of all trades. Master of none."

As I begin to define my position in this profession or in business, I have come to find out that being a general problem solver doesn't really make you an attractive prospect. In sports, baseball players get drafted for a specific skill and basketball players get drafted for a talent (3 point shooting, slashing ability, scoring prowess). Why is it any different in our field? I don't think it is. I think that the Consultants that figure that out that specific strength that will sell in the marketplace early in their career will go far and live an easier life. The ones that don't will continue to burn the midnight oil jumping at every opportunity that comes their way, rejiggering their resume and skill sets to fit that immediate need. Unfortunately, for me, I find myself going down the latter path.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I'm Back!

  Probably not an even close comparison to the return of MJ. But the feeling is there.  It's been a few years to say the least.  I blame Covid... and my lack of motivation to put anything out on the inter-web.  That said, it's a different time and I'm a lot older. Things have changed, but they haven't.  I'm still trying to find that next gig.  Breaking through this so-called barrier of being a company leader or executive still alludes me.   And all my friends are more successful than I am.  So cheers to that. I look forward to writing more.  Cheers - PB 
Post a Comment
Read more

The Thing About Cheese

The book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" has been on my bookshelf for more than a few years. Quite honestly, I don't remember if I read it end to end. So I picked it up and the story vaguely started coming back to me which means that I did read it, but didn't really READ it.  My thing about business self-help books like these are that the concepts and ideas being communicated don't really sit with you unless you are in a situation that makes the ideas hit home.  It's like being a sports analyst without having never really played the sport.  Nothing makes it real like having the experience.  A quote that hit home for me was,  "...a change imposed is a change opposed."  And yet this is how many corporations impose  their edicts expect change to happen within a workforce that is more than happy to oppose  the guys in the ivory tower.  Yes I'm talking about the latest safety policy, finance department "guidance", or expense policy ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

Diary of a Job Search

 I am not any stranger to looking for a new job.  When I was in big firm management consulting, I used to say, "The one thing about this job is that you are always looking for the next one."  Whether you are on the bench or on an engagement, you should always be spending time out of your day planting seeds for the next engagement or job opportunity.  Unfortunately, I have not followed my own advice in over a decade.  Now, I'm  trying to resurrect relationships and break through AI job site filters -- and all the job search horror stories that happen on LinkedIn are happening to me. Whether you haven't looked for a job in a few weeks or since before COVID, here's what I've learned:  There are people that genuinely want to help. Cherish those people and reciprocate accordingly.  There are people that you thought you knew, that will disappear on you. (I think the kids call it ghosting). I'll be honest in that I'm no angel. I'm sure I've done it to...
Post a Comment
Read more