The Specialist Myth

Somewhere along the way, we were sold a myth: to be successful, you need to be laser-focused on a single path, digging deeper and deeper until you hit the jackpot of expertise. Society absolutely loves specialists. We celebrate the heart surgeon, the coder who knows a niche or forgotten programming language, or the wine connoisseur who can pinpoint an exact vintage. But what about the rest of us? The ones who dabble, explore, and have an extensive amount of knowledge about a lot of things?

I used to think being a generalist was a flaw—something that meant I would always be the runner-up, the almost-expert. But over time, I realized that being a generalist wasn’t holding me back; it was my greatest strength. I might not know everything about a single subject, but I know something about a whole lot of subjects—and that turned out to be my superpower.

At first glance, it might seem like my career has lacked focus, but to me, it’s been an intentional journey to experience the richness of being human in as many ways possible. Each experience, no matter how different, has added to my understanding of the world, its people and my ability to adapt. While some may see the label of “generalist” as a negative, I view it as my greatest gift—a superpower that has allowed me to thrive across different industries and environments.

From State Senate to Sound Production

Take my career, for instance. I’ve worked in retail, physical therapy, handled plates as a food server, processed claims as an adjuster, crunched numbers as a data analyst, managed a 24/7 call center, and even ran for the Arizona State Senate. I’ve managed political campaigns for others, overseen hospital operations, and even worked in reverse logistics across our southern border. I originally attended San Jose State University with the goal of becoming an airline pilot, but ultimately graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice. I even play guitar, keyboard, ukulele, and bass—though the band I dreamed of starting back in college still hasn’t quite come together. (I still have time!) Without a doubt, I have had a wild career. To others, it may seem like I have an identity crisis, but these seemingly disconnected experiences are actually what keep me balanced, adaptive, and resilient.

Each skill I’ve picked up has made me better at the others. When I learned how to tell compelling stories as a political campaigner, that storytelling skill translated perfectly to online branding. My experience crunching voter data now helps me understand the metrics behind marketing campaigns. I’m even finding that my growing knowledge of sound production is directly linked to having created powerful political messaging and branding campaigns in the past—there’s always a throughline. Being a generalist allows me to make connections that specialists might miss. I don’t need to be the best sound engineer or the top political strategist—I just need to know enough of each to make magic happen.

Confidence in Ambiguity

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a generalist is to find comfortable in ambiguity. When I face a situation that feels unclear or uncertain, I don’t panic. Instead, I rely on my unbridled curiosity and my lack of fear in learning new or difficult topics to navigate through. The confidence I have gained from tackling diverse challenges over the years means I am far less intimidated by unknowns. I trust that whatever the problem, I’ll find a way to learn, adapt, and come out stronger on the other side.

The Secret Weapon: Adaptability

Another strength I’ve discovered as a generalist is my ability to quickly pick up new skills and adapt to changing situations, concepts, and technology. Whether it’s a new software platform or an unfamiliar topic, I’ve found that the initial learning curve is rarely as daunting as it seems. There are always consistent throughlines and commonalities with what I’ve previously learned, which makes the process of becoming specialized in something new not only manageable but enjoyable.

If there’s one thing I wish more people understood, it’s that generalists are adaptable in a way that specialists often aren’t. When you have a wide range of interests and skills, you’re naturally primed to pivot, reinvent, and see opportunity where others see obstacles. In today’s fast-changing world, adaptability isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s crucial. I never thought that after managing political campaigns I’d be working on launching my own podcast and media production studio. But guess what? It’s happening, and it’s happening because I’m comfortable stepping into new and unfamiliar waters.

Generalists have the edge in situations where the landscape shifts quickly—we’re the ones who can bridge the gaps, piece together different perspectives, and move fluidly between worlds. Specialists may have deep expertise, but we generalists bring breadth, context, and creative problem-solving. The world doesn’t just need depth; it needs people who can link the depths together.

Being a generalist also means embracing ambiguity as part of the adventure. The unknown isn’t something to be avoided—it’s a chance to explore, connect, innovate and grow. The more you dive into uncertain situations, the more you learn that your diverse skills are what make you capable of handling just about anything.

Being a generalist also means leveraging the common threads between your experiences to tackle new challenges effectively. It’s about realizing that every new skill or concept you learn is often connected in some way to what you’ve done before, making you even more adept at quickly gaining expertise when needed.

Harness Your Inner Generalist

Being a generalist isn’t about never committing to anything or avoiding focus—it’s about being genuinely curious and embracing all your interests. The next time you find yourself interested in a hobby or a new skill, don’t brush it off because it’s not “in your field.” Fields are made up; boundaries are made up. Pick up that guitar. Learn to edit video. Take an online class in marketing. The more dots you have, the more lines you can draw between them.

If you’re worried about being labeled a “jack of all trades, master of none,” remember the full saying: “Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.” The world needs people who can connect dots across disciplines—people who can see the bigger picture, find creative solutions, and make things work even when the pieces don’t seem to fit. That’s what generalists do, and that’s why we’re going to save the world.

A Final Thought

So if you’re like me, dabbling in different things, embracing both your successes and your missteps, and wondering if you’ll ever “master” anything—let me reassure you. You don’t need to be a specialist to find success; you just need to keep connecting the dots. Success isn’t always about depth—sometimes, it’s about breadth, curiosity, and the ability to bring it all together in a unique way. And that, my friends, is the true power of the generalist.

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Are You a Generalist Too?

I’d love to hear from you. What skills are you blending to make magic happen in your career? Drop a comment below and share how being a generalist has helped you succeed in unexpected ways.