Are you a broken comb?

I have always been fascinated by the game of chess. Analysis, strategy and execution. A game where every piece has a vital role to play. Each one, a specialist sitting tightly in a cubicle. Following a linear path of progression.

Strikes a bell? Quite similar to any corporate structure? But then, amongst all this unidirectional progression there is "The Queen", able to move any numbers of squares vertically, horizontally or diagonally. A divergent, if I may say.

Now, analyse closely. What makes Queen the most formidable piece in chess? It is its unique ability to perform/move as a King, pawn, rook or bishop. In short, every piece, minus the knight. It wouldn’t be incorrect if you compare the Queen to an individual who has a broader area of knowledge and can perform with varied levels of expertise. “A Broken Comb”

Why Broken Combs are important?

Broken combs are assets to any organisation, especially startups. They are not narrow specialists but individuals with broader skills and knowledge who provide solutions by linking different perspectives from different specialties. Due to their diverse knowledge, broken combs are better at understanding and connecting with other team functions and bring exceptional ideas in the process. In today’s hyper-specialised environments there is a dearth of broken combs!

Round pegs in square holes

I remember a concerned career consultant calling me at an odd hour couple of years back, asking whether it was a typo as I had given equal weightage to two skills; Strategy and Design. It took me a long time to convince her that it was intended and had to elaborate upon a few case studies to bring my point home (I hope I did).

Sometimes, when a diverse set of skill sets or areas of expertise appear in a resume, companies or consultants misconstrue the individual as someone who lacks focus or at worst, desperate and confused. It is not so (but yes, exceptions are always there), on the contrary it takes a lot of discipline, focus and effort to acquire expertise in variegated subjects.

Broken combs look at things in a different manner

The rise of design thinking has brought a new way of addressing problems. It is of utmost importance to understand the consumer journey to come up with valid, practical and feasible solutions. A designer, who also understands the importance, principals and nuances of UI can present better solutions than a mere designer. And if he has dabbled with UX as well, the result will be even better; as he can collaborate more effectively and efficiently with a UX lead. The more you know, the better solutions you can churn.

Made, not born

?In today’s rapidly changing business scenario, companies should deem the ability to adapt as an asset. Initiatives and innovations will come from individuals who are multiskilled and can see the end game. No, it is not a pre-requisite to be a polymath, what’s necessary is to broaden your sources of information and knowledge. This is the only way of getting standout ideas for your projects.

It is always an individual choice to either think narrow and tight or acquire broader skills and knowledge. Be a pawn or be ‘The Queen.’