We are in a new Renaissance. An era in which the generalist is on the rise. As a refreshing antithesis to the doctrine of specialization still largely revered in modern-day society, to be a generalist is to have and maintain a diversity of skills and interests. A generalist hears “Just pick one,” “You can’t do it all,” and “It’s too late to start” — harbingers of the world’s preference for specialists — and follows their whims anyway.
In a metaphorical sense, the practice of generalism encourages individuals to invest in a toolshed (many little things) rather than a singular tool (one big thing) with which to take on life. Those tools are areas of knowledge. Proponents of generalism claim that this goldmine of knowledge leads to range, or in other words, the ability to think critically about a wide variety of topics and make connections between them accordingly.
In his revolutionary book, Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein references the work of physicist, mathematician, and writer Freeman Dyson. Dyson emphasized the need for both “focused frogs,” who operate best in highly detailed, “deep” environments and “visionary birds,” who operate best in highly holistic, “wide” environments to solve complex problems. He laments, “We’re frequently telling everyone to become frogs, and that limits us and our ability to adapt quickly in a changing world.” Translation: Specialists are undoubtedly important, but often-undervalued generalists, with their vision and ability to connect concepts, are the key to discovery and progress.
At Janou, we see a candidate’s arsenal of interests as something to be leveraged, not looked down upon. We believe in the power of non-linear careers. In the creative field especially, employers aren’t searching for one-dimensional staff. They’re searching for someone dynamic. As a team, we are committed to matching candidates with a breadth and depth of experience to employers that value diversity of experience as much as we do.
To want more than one career, area of emphasis, or interest is not to be a dilettante. It’s to be a visionary bird, a capable amateur, and a modern-day Renaissance (wo)man. It’s to be a generalist. And that is a good thing.