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Generalist vs. Specialist: The Talent Tug-of-War in Startups

As a founder, you might find yourself in a position where you need specific skills for specific roles but you also need someone dynamic enough who can fit into alternative positions as the business grows. This is the conundrum we’re addressing in today’s article: generalists vs. specialists.

The quick answer?It lies somewhere in between the two, a realm inhabited by the specialized generalist. Let’s explore why this hybrid model might just be the answer you’re  looking for when building and hiring for your startup.

The Power of the Generalist

Picture this: you’re building your company from the ground up. Resources are tight, time is limited, and everyone wears about five different hats before lunchtime. Sound familiar?

Enter the generalist, someone who can switch from product development to marketing to customer service without missing a beat. These versatile team members are the lifeblood of early-stage companies, handling a bit of everything. Let’s refer to them as our core team or founding team. They’re adaptable, creative, and can easily pivot when priorities shift (which happens daily).

According to David Epstein’s book, Range, generalists are better problem solvers because they pull from a broader range of experiences and analogies. In a world that doesn’t operate on clear-cut rules, generalists can thrive, spotting patterns across disciplines that specialists might miss.

But here’s the thing: generalists can hit a ceiling. While they’re great at juggling many tasks, you might need deeper expertise when it’s time to scale. That’s where specialists come in.

The Allure of the Specialist

On the flip side, you have the specialists—those who dive deep into one particular area until they become a master at it. Think of them as your team’s samurai, wielding their craft with precision. You want a codebase built flawlessly or marketing copy that converts like magic? Specialists are your go-to.

Take Tiger Woods, for example, who began playing golf at 7 months old. By age 21, he was the best golfer in the world, proving that focusing intensely on one thing can lead to mastery. Specialists hone their craft, gaining expertise that makes them indispensable in certain roles.

But here’s the catch: specialization comes with risks. In a fast-moving environment, being overly specialized can be limiting. What if the company pivots and your narrow skillset no longer fits the vision? Specialists may find themselves boxed into one role, while you need flexibility and adaptability as you scale and evolve.

Enter the Specialized Generalist

So, which should you choose—generalist or specialist?

The answer: neither. You need a specialized generalist—the best of both worlds.

Think of a specialized generalist like a T-shaped individual. They have a broad understanding of many areas (the horizontal line) but go deep into one or two (the vertical line). These are the team members who can brainstorm creative marketing strategies in the morning and still tackle complex product development issues by the afternoon.

For you, this is gold.

Specialized generalists are nimble and scalable. They can jump into different roles, solve diverse problems, and adapt as the company grows. But when the moment demands expertise, they can dig deep into their specialized skill set and deliver exceptional results. It’s like hiring a Swiss Army knife with a built-in laser.

Why This Matters?

It’s crucial to think beyond the binary of generalist vs. specialist. Building your team with specialized generalists gives you the flexibility to navigate the unpredictable waters of business life, ensuring your team is not only resilient but also able to scale effectively.

Take a moment to look at your current team. Do you have enough flexibility for when things inevitably shift (and they will)? Are you cultivating talent that can adapt but also dive deep when needed? If not, it may be time to reconsider your talent strategy.

The Takeaway: Hire for Adaptability and Depth

The future belongs to those who can blend skills in creative ways. Generalists are valuable for their adaptability, and specialists are critical for their depth of knowledge. But in the fast-paced world of startups, you need the hybrid—the specialized generalist—who can do both.

So next time you’re scaling your team, think about the long-term. Instead of choosing between breadth or depth, aim for both. Hire the talent that can evolve with your company while still bringing something exceptional to the table.

Because in the end, isn’t that what being in a startup is all about? Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to adapt—just like a specialized generalist.

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