poquillo™

“A jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one.”

Hey there, fellow multi-passionate human! 👋

Ever been told you need to “pick one thing and stick with it”? That you should stop being so scattered and just choose a specialty already? Yeah, me too. And honestly? I used to believe it (as of two weeks ago😝).

But here’s what I’ve learned: being a generalist isn’t a weakness – it’s actually a superpower in today’s world.

If you’re tired of apologizing for your diverse interests or feeling like you need to fit into someone else’s narrow box, this one’s for you. Let’s dive into why generalists are exactly what the world needs right now.

Why This Matters Right Now

We live in a world that’s changing faster than ever. The problems we’re solving today didn’t even exist five years ago. And guess what? Those complex, messy, unpredictable challenges? They need people who can connect dots across different fields, think creatively, and adapt quickly.

That’s where generalists shine, amiga. 🌟

The Ultimate Reading List for Embracing Your Generalist Path

Ready to feel amazing about your diverse interests? Here are the resources that completely changed how I see being a “jack of all trades”:

📚 Must-Read Books

Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein This #1 NYT bestseller will blow your mind. Epstein shows real examples (like comparing Roger Federer to Tiger Woods) of why having breadth gives you superpowers in our fast-changing world. Seriously, this book is a game-changer.

The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility by Waqas Ahmed Ever wonder why Renaissance figures like Leonardo da Vinci were so innovative? This book explores how being versatile isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential for tackling today’s complex problems.

The Medici Effect by Frans Johansson Want to know where breakthrough ideas come from? Spoiler alert: it’s when different fields collide. This book shows why combining ideas from various areas sparks the kind of innovation the world desperately needs.

📰 Eye-Opening Articles

When Generalists Are Better Than Specialists, and Vice Versa (Harvard Business Review) Finally, research that backs up what we generalists have always known! This article explains why we excel in unpredictable, complex environments (aka the real world).

Generalist vs. Specialist: Which Is Better? (Indeed) A practical breakdown that’ll help you understand your strengths and how to position them in today’s job market.

Reaping the Benefits of Being a Generalist or Specialist (Firm of the Future) Discusses practical pros and cons in consulting and how to blend both approaches, becoming “a specialist in the moment” when needed.

The Danger of Having Too Many Experts (Time) Plot twist: sometimes having too much expertise in one area can actually hold us back. This piece highlights why “T-shaped” thinkers (deep in one area, broad across others) are so valuable.

Is It Better to Be a Specialist or a Generalist? (Greater Good Science, UC Berkeley) Highlights why “wicked environments” favor generalists—who use curiosity and creativity to bridge gaps.

🎥 Videos That’ll Inspire You

Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein A crisp YouTube summary where Epstein explains why breadth matters and how generalists actually outperform in today’s complexity. Perfect for when you need a quick confidence boost!

Why specializing early doesn’t always mean career success (TED Talk) If you’ve ever felt behind because you didn’t have your life figured out at 22, this talk will be like a warm hug for your soul.

Why generalists are more successful than specialists More insights from Epstein on why generalist thinking leads to better outcomes in complex situations.

The Power of Generalists in a Specialized World Another great video exploring how generalists bring unique value to teams and organizations.

🎧 Podcast Deep Dive

Don’t Underestimate Generalists (Knowledge at Wharton) Epstein dives into how generalist thinking influences team dynamics and recruitment strategies. Great for understanding how to communicate your value to others.

🔍 For Our ResearchFolks

The Advantages of Interdisciplinarity in Modern Science (ArXiv) Academic research showing that highly interdisciplinary researchers outperform both pure specialists and pure generalists. Nerdy but fascinating!

The Bottom Line

Here’s what all these resources basically say: your curiosity isn’t a bug, it’s a feature.

In a world where everything is connected and change is the only constant, people who can think across boundaries, adapt quickly, and see patterns others miss? Those are the people who thrive.

So the next time someone tells you to “pick a lane,” you can smile and remember that your lane is actually a beautiful, winding highway that connects all sorts of amazing destinations.

Your Turn

Which of these resources speaks to you most? I’d love to hear about your generalist journey – what diverse interests make you, you?

P.S. – Still feeling like you need to justify your multi-passionate nature? Remember: the world’s biggest challenges aren’t solved by people who think inside one box. They’re solved by people who can build bridges between different boxes. That’s you, mi amor. 💪