In my podcast with my co-host Celine Malyster, I explore the world of specialists, those who dedicate their entire careers to mastering one field, one craft, one expertise. Their focus is admirable, their commitment incredible. Some spend decades refining a single skill, pushing boundaries in their industry, and becoming the go-to experts in their domain.
And then there are generalists, people like me. We dive into different disciplines, adapt, connect ideas across fields, and thrive on variety. I even wrote a book about the power of being a generalist, about how versatility and curiosity can be just as valuable as deep expertise. I’ve seen generalists excel in highly specialized roles, but eventually, many feel the pull to explore new horizons, to move beyond the boundaries of one path.
So, it makes me wonder: Is there a fundamental difference between specialists and generalists? Or are we, at our core, more alike than we think?
After all, even specialists pivot. They evolve, refine their expertise, and sometimes completely shift their focus. And generalists? They may explore widely, but in every phase of their journey, they often develop deep, specialized knowledge and this across multiple domains.
Maybe the real difference is not in the type of person we are, but in how we define success, fulfillment, and growth. Do we find meaning in mastery, or in exploration? Do we thrive in depth, or in breadth? Or is it possible that, over time, we all move between both worlds?
The more I explore this topic, the more I question whether we need these labels at all. Because at the heart of both paths is the same human drive, is that need to learn, to contribute, and to find purpose in the work we do.
So maybe the question isn’t about whether specialists and generalists are different, but rather: Do we all, at some point, crave both mastery and change?
