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- Managers do not fault a generalist when they try to tap into expertise of a specialist, in fact, they expect and encourage it.
The generalist needs to work with specialist with understanding that they have no intention of undermining specialist. They just want to tap into their brain for enough knowledge to keep themselves out of trouble. In exchange, generalist will keep specialist appraised of any concerns in areas outside their specialty. How to Succeed as a Specialist
The secret to being a successful specialist is to stay focused on narrow, but deep skills and knowledge of your specialty. Understand that many areas outside your specialty can have a major impact on your work, but any time dedicated to learning about peripheral subjects is time taken away from increasing your skills and knowledge in your specialty.
You have to deliberately define your skills pool. What areas outside your specialty will you explore and to what depth? Unlike "jack of all trades", you understand that nobody can be an expert at everything.
Take advantage of symbiotic relationship between a specialist and a generalist. Share any knowledge that generalist needs to avoid making mistakes and creating a poor quality of work. In return, generalist will share any information you need to avoid problems caused by concerns in areas outside your specialty.
Should You be a "Jack of All Trades" or a Specialist?
The generalists' range of knowledge makes them a better candidate for promotion to a supervisory or managerial position. When that happens, generalist may not understand that in addition to high stress of being expected to know everything technical, they will now be subjected to stress of being involved in corporate politics. Whereas they became a "Jack of all trades" because of their love of science and technology, now they need to become an expert at "covering their ass", "back stabbing", and other political games.
- If an individual, who became a "jack of all trades" because of their love of science and technology, refuses to accept a promotion to a supervisory or managerial position, they will be considered to be "lacking in ambition" and will not be receiving any future meaningful salary increases.
The specialist is usually not considered for promotion to a supervisory or manager position because they are considered too important in their specialty. And that's okay, because they receive more respect and higher salary than most supervisors and managers. However, if business slows down, they may be one of first employees to get fired.
- Because specialists are expensive, their job may be subject to outsourcing. If it's possible to outsource your work, closely monitor outsourcing trend in your specialty.
Which is better, to be a generalist or a specialist? A "jack of all trades" is under higher stress and greater probability of being pushed into a supervisory or managerial position. Specialists receive more respect and higher salaries. If your specialty is one that is unlikely to be outsourced, it's definitely better to be a specialist.
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Copyright(C)2005 Bucaro TecHelp. To learn how to maintain your computer and use it more effectively to design a Web site and make money on the Web visit bucarotechelp.com To subscribe to Bucaro TecHelp Newsletter visit http://bucarotechelp.com/search/000800.asp