If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s that striving to be well-rounded often leads to mediocrity. You’re more likely to achieve success by becoming exceptionally skilled in one area rather than spreading your efforts across many. This applies to everyone, even managers and executives. While we might think of executives as generalists, they often focus on particular areas like start-ups, turnarounds, or mergers, where their deep expertise is most needed.
We’re Trained to Be Generalists
From a young age, our education system emphasizes being well-rounded. In schools, we’re encouraged to learn a bit of everything, which makes sense in the beginning—everyone needs basic reading and math skills. But this focus on generalization continues into high school and college. Most schools measure success by how well students perform across all subjects rather than recognizing those who excel in one area. However, excelling in one field is what truly sets you apart in the long run.
When we enter the workforce, this pattern continues. Performance reviews often evaluate us on a broad range of skills, focusing on areas where we’re weaker. Training programs then aim to improve these weaker areas, leaving less time to enhance our strengths. This approach might make us more well-rounded, but it often prevents us from becoming exceptional in any one area.
Why Do We Value Generalization?
This mindset isn’t limited to our careers. Consider our approach to health: we want all parts of our body to function well because each plays a role in keeping us alive. It doesn’t matter how great one organ is if the others aren’t working properly. This holistic view of health leads us to value balance.
Similarly, studies show that faces are often perceived as beautiful when their features are close to average proportions. Our brains are wired to associate these average proportions with good health, which may explain why we favor balance and generalization in other areas of life.
But while being well-rounded might help you stay healthy or be perceived as attractive, it doesn’t help you stand out. To truly succeed, you need to excel in one or two areas that you’re passionate about, becoming outstanding in those specific fields.
Finding Your Specialization
Deciding what to specialize in can be tough. Some people naturally gravitate towards their strengths early on, while others struggle to choose from a variety of interests.
A useful exercise comes from Richard N. Bolles’ book, The Three Boxes of Life and How to Get Out of Them. Start by listing ten things you’ve done that you’re most proud of—these could be achievements from work, school, or your personal life. For each, write a brief description of what you did and why it made you proud.
Next, list ten things you’ve done that you enjoyed the most. Again, write a short description for each, focusing on why these activities were enjoyable.
When you have your lists, look for patterns. Do any common themes emerge? Are there similarities in the tasks or situations you described? Understanding these connections can help you identify a specialization that not only makes you happy but also sets you apart.
Examples of Specialization
In the field of IT, for example, specialization might look like:
- Optimizing data center performance
- Designing user-friendly systems for mobile workers
- Leading teams on innovative software projects
- Solving complex problems that others can’t fix
- Creating engaging e-commerce sites for specific demographics
A Personal Story
Years ago, I did a similar exercise and found my lists were filled with activities where I had learned something complex and then taught it to others. I realized that my skill lies in simplifying complicated concepts and guiding organizations through change. Over the years, I’ve applied this ability in various situations, from corporate due diligence to process improvement and IT strategy development.
My specialization doesn’t fit neatly into a conventional job title, and that has its challenges. But I’ve learned to market this skill effectively by focusing on the unique value it brings to different contexts.
Taking the Next Step
Once you’ve identified your specialization, make it your own. Dive deeper into the subject, learn from role models, and improve upon existing methods. Consider writing articles or speaking at conferences to share your expertise. If public speaking or writing isn’t your thing, partner with someone who can help you get your message out.
At the same time, keep an eye on market trends. If demand for your expertise shifts, be ready to adjust your focus to maintain relevance. You can still do what you love, but you might need to reposition how others see your talents.
Conclusion
In a world filled with people who are good at many things but not great at any, specialization is your path to success. By becoming exceptional in one area, you’ll distinguish yourself from the crowd, advance in your career, and find greater fulfillment in your work.