The Power of Being A Generalist: The Unconventional Path to Career Success

Have you been called a "Jack of all trades"?

I have, and I hated it.

For years, this phrase haunted me as I navigated my career growth. I've been told countless times that being a generalist was a weakness in my career and would hold me back from achieving my full potential. But, as it turns out, my diverse skillset and experiences have become my greatest strength, so if you have been told a similar thing, I want to share a small part of my career journey to encourage you to be confident in your career decisions.

It began a few years into my career when I started to work for large organisations where I saw a lot of opportunities to develop and move up the career ladder. However, the management in these organisations made it clear to me that because of my career choices thus far, I would never make it in their organisation because they valued specialisation above all else. It was a deflating.

Many of the people I knew then were becoming specialists in their chosen fields, steadily climbing the corporate ladder and earning more money. However, my eclectic background (in administration, sales and event organisation) made it difficult to fit into any mould. Managers, recruiters, and even friends told me to pick a single area of expertise and focus on it, claiming that my generalist tendencies would not get me into certain rooms where all the opportunities were.

As the years went by, I held various roles in different industries, constantly learning and adapting to new challenges. Despite my successes, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was somehow falling behind my more specialised counterparts. The nagging doubt in the back of my mind made me question whether I was making the right choices for my career.

Then one day, an opportunity arose that would change everything. I was offered an interim position at a fast-growing startup in dire need of someone who could wear many hats. The company required a leader who could work across multiple departments, build the relationship and understand the intricacies of the disciplines of the teams and help bring them together towards a common goal.

As it turned out, my generalist skillset was exactly what they needed because I could draw on my experience in marketing, sales, law, events and client management, and project management to the table, successfully driving the company's growth and expansion. I used my varied experiences in this role and delivered best-practice from other jobs and sectors. They were delighted, and so was I. Finally, I realised how valuable my broad knowledge and abilities were.?

This experience taught me some invaluable lessons about self-belief and the power of being a generalist:

1. Embrace your unique skillset: Our diverse skills and experiences shape who we are as professionals. Embrace them and use them to your advantage, even when others may not understand the value they hold.
2. Trust your instincts: Don't let external opinions sway your confidence in your abilities. If you believe you have something valuable to offer, trust your gut and forge your career path.
3. Surround yourself with supportive people: Seek out mentors, employ a coach and seek out the company of friends who understand that progress is better than perfect and who will encourage you to keep going.
4. Never stop learning: Being a generalist doesn't mean your skills are less valuable than being a specialist. We all have our time. Keep expanding your knowledge and skillset to stay relevant in an ever-evolving world.

My journey has been unconventional, but it has led me to immense growth and fulfilment, so I want to encourage you, if you have been referred to as a generalist in a less than complementary way, to embrace your unique strengths and continue believing in yourselves. You are resilient and a change-maker.

The world needs your versatility, creativity, and adaptability more than ever. Remember, no experience is wasted. Understand your value and package your skills into something great! You are sitting on a gold mine!

Are you feeling stuck or overwhelmed in your career? Need to make a change but unsure how to start?

Join me on the Plan, Prepare, Pitch Job Search and Career Transition 10-Week Group Program.

The Plan Prepare Pitch coaching program is expertly designed to guide you through every aspect of a successful career transition. Plan, Prepare, Pitch is more than a course; it's your satnav to a better career. No more guessing or wasting your time. I'll help you gain clarity on your ideal career path, craft a winning CV and job search strategy, and master the art of networking through social media. You receive invaluable interview training and practice and support you with negotiating and evaluating job offers!

You'll enjoy live online classes, interactive Q&A sessions, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals on a similar journey.

If you are ready to take control of your career, join me for the next cohort starting on April 27th, 2023. DM me on Linkedin for enrollment details.