Generalization or Specialization?

    

 

Now no one wants to use only half of their brain! How inefficient would that be? Specialization in a particular field is a must have in this era...But only if you want to sell your soul for 40+ years doing the same redundant work. Generalization is required for doing any kind of work at any point of time and is a number one quality of any entrepreneur's success.

            The world today is shifting from demanding a “jack of all trades” to demanding the “master”. The abundance of information in today’s world leads to any person adept at internet search skills is able to provide a general perspective about any topic under the sun. The need is to be able to provide an in-depth idea about the topic. Also, the level of competition in today’s world leaves no scope for error and thereby, comes the demand for specialization. With a team of such specialists, the performance delivered tends to have been scrutinized from the different perspectives, leaving lesser scope for flaws.

The shift to specialization has influenced the growth of new industries and markets. It has also influenced our lifestyle, career choices and decisions. The need of the hour today is to hone the skill that exists nowhere but in yourself and thereby making oneself indispensable.

          I don’t believe that there is a “best approach”. I think that combining generalization and specialization works well for schools and organizations. If I need my car's engine fixed, I go to a mechanic who specializes in my engine. We need specialists for sure. If I want a large robotics project to be successful, I don't go and get the best mechanical engineer I can to oversee the programmers, electrical folks, etc. I get someone with a good general knowledge of all areas needed.