Icicles

I'm a not a generalist. Now you say, there's nothing wrong with that. And there isn't. See, generalists are like this:

If you're not a generalist, you're a specialist, like this:

But I'm not a specialist either. I don't know enough to be a specialist in anything really. So, maybe I'm a T-shaped generalist? Knows a lot about one particular subject, and also has a wide general knowledge. Getting warmer.   

See, I know a little about a lot of subjects (I have a head for useless facts, figures and stats. And lyrics. Don't ask me why, i haven't been able to find a job where either comes in handy yet. And I'm an information junkie, too.). But I also know somewhat more than a little about a few subjects. Enough for non-specialists in that subject to see me as a specialist. So I propose a new model: the icicle generalist.

The icicle generalist knows a little about a lot, and a lot about a selected few things. And in my case, those selected few things are not always related: I know a thing or two about book history, a few things about business, and am learning about design. It's fun being an icicle generalist, but hard if you're trying to find a job. My CV is pretty hard to sell. Most companies want a coherent story (which in my case is hard to make) for either a generalist (think management development programs) or a specialist (think more hardcore finance roles for instance). So now I need to figure out how to make a coherent story for knowing a little about a lot and somewhat more about a little. For being an icicle generalist.

[yes, those are drawings. My own drawings. The strangest thing is starting to happen, I'm starting to draw ideas and concepts versus just putting them in words. The designers around me are rubbing off on me!]

Comments

[Al]

So you're, a ... comb?

:)

[Farhan Lalji]

Like the concept, you can have different spikes of different lengths. Which, in response to Al's point, wouldn't make a very effective comb! ;-)

[Faris]

n'ice

i've always thought of myself as a jack of areas - i prefer icicle...

[Grant]

Love it! At work, we call drawing #3 "having a spike". I've never been able to figure out quite why that didn't quite resonate with me until I saw your icicles. Excellent concept (aka "thought leadership" ;-) )

Plus, of course, the cold-weather thing appeals to me personally.

[The Divine Miss M]

Stumbled on your blog... MBA too with too many labels. Would like to add link to your site, and this post in particular. Love the concept, although the cold-weather reference gives me the chills ;-)