The importance of generalists in companies

Generalist job profile – explanation and differentiation

A generalist is difficult to define and even more difficult to squeeze into a job profile – after all, avoiding unambiguity is their profession. Nevertheless, there are some advantages for companies in hiring generalists.

The job profile of a generalist differs significantly from the classic, specialized job profiles that are still widespread in many companies. While specialists have in-depth knowledge and distinctive skills in a specific specialist area, the generalist is characterized by a broad range of knowledge and skills across various disciplines. This breadth enables generalists to combine and integrate different perspectives, which is invaluable in the rapidly changing business world of the information society.

A generalist is able to mediate between different departments and create synergies that specialists may overlook. This means that they not only have technical or specialist skills, but also social and communication skills. For example, they are able to perceive underlying problems or recognize misunderstandings that make effective collaboration difficult. Thanks to their wide-ranging experience, generalists are able to offer solution options that seem unusual to specialists due to their specialist perspective and do not come to mind. Generalists are often flexible and adaptable, which makes them particularly valuable in dynamic environments.

What personality type is behind generalists?

The personality type of a generalist is characterized by curiosity, flexibility, openness and strong social skills. These characteristics make generalists versatile and adaptable employees who are able to integrate different perspectives and develop innovative solutions. Generalists are more willing to question traditional ways of thinking and try out new approaches.

Generalists are multi-faceted. They have different interests and are often enthusiastic about complex topics. They like to change jobs more often and take on new challenges instead of feeling secure in a single area of expertise. Generalists used to be said to be “not really good at anything”. This corresponded to the one-sided thinking of an unchanging world that could be explained in a comprehensible way using factual knowledge that could be learned. Times have changed – today it is increasingly important to penetrate the milieus and narratives of a changing environment as early as possible. And this can only be achieved through iterative speed, making and sometimes discarding assumptions about larger contexts instead of calculating details years in advance.

What used to be seen as a flaw and inconsistency is now sought after by companies. This is because generalists have a pronounced curiosity, which constantly drives them to learn new things and familiarize themselves with different disciplines. This in turn enables them to adapt quickly to changing conditions, acquire new skills and develop a feel for possible visions for the future.

Generalists are reluctant to commit themselves – they are always driven by the search for new fields of learning. This enables them to deal with uncertainty and master challenges without losing motivation. These characteristics help them to maintain an overview even in difficult times and to pursue long-term goals.

Added value of a generalist for transformation and innovation

In times of transformation and innovation, the generalist plays a key role. Companies today are faced with the challenge of continuously adapting to new technologies, market conditions and customer requirements. A generalist brings several decisive advantages here:

1. Networked thinking

Generalists are known for thinking outside the box and recognizing connections between seemingly different areas. This networked thinking is particularly useful when it comes to developing innovative solutions that combine different disciplines.

2. Adaptability

A generalist’s ability to quickly familiarize themselves with new topics and tasks makes them particularly valuable in times of change. They can adapt quickly to changing conditions and take on new roles, which is crucial in a transformation process.

3. Problem-solving skills

Thanks to their broad knowledge base, generalists are able to look at problems from different angles and develop creative solutions. They can recognize overarching patterns and identify systemic problems that specialists may overlook.

4. Interdisciplinary collaboration

Generalists promote collaboration between different departments and teams (see “Autonomous teams“). Their ability to understand and translate the language and needs of different disciplines facilitates communication and knowledge sharing. This is particularly important for innovation projects, where interdisciplinary collaboration is often the key to success.

5. Long-term perspective

While specialists tend to pursue short-term, technically focused goals, generalists often have the ability to take a long-term and strategic perspective. They think in broader contexts and can help to develop sustainable business strategies.

Conclusion

In the modern business world, generalists are key players in transformation and innovation processes. Their flexibility, problem-solving skills and ability to build interdisciplinary bridges promote sustainable success and competitiveness. Personality traits such as curiosity, openness and social skills enable generalists to work effectively in different disciplines and develop innovative solutions. Especially in times of rapid change, their adaptability and long-term perspective are invaluable to companies.

Simone Belko

Simone Belko is a media scientist and European studies scholar with a strong focus on digital literacy. With experience in journalism, PR, marketing, IT and training she has excelled in Germany and abroad. As a manager for digital products in the online games and FinTech industry she gained deep insights into online platforms and communities. Simone is the author of "Digital Consciousness" ("Das digitale Bewusstsein") and currently works at Otto GmbH, leveraging her expertise in business transformation.