Generalists! I’m celebrating you.

As part of my intentional self-love driven January counter-programming, I thought it would be the perfect time to give some of my favorite people the extra TLC they deserve.

Raise your hand if you…

• Inevitably become the glue connecting multiple disciplines.

• Are the translator among teams to find common ground.

• Prefer the forest to the trees.

• Continue to be surprised when you get tapped for leadership roles.

• Are confused about which direction to choose because you’re good at most things you try.

• Have a nagging feeling that your expertise (or the multitude of them) isn’t deep enough.

Congratulations, friend. You’re a generalist. And you have a critical role to play in any and every organization.

Most of my clients who fit this criteria, first admit it to me in a whisper. Like they have a secret. Or they’re saying a dirty word.

My response: Yes, you’re a generalist! Stop apologizing and let’s celebrate your general awesomeness!

Somehow, in academia and in some corporate circles we began worshiping deep expertise as if it is the only way to pursue a career.

As if anything else is superficial. A path to avoid at all costs.

I’m calling bullshit on this.

Generalists are…

General Managers, Chiefs of Staff, Program Managers, Project Managers, Consultants.

They are also…

Strategic problem solvers, flexible communicators, motivating leaders.

So, generalists, if I could write you a love letter, I would say…stand in your power. Talk about your multidimensionality and your brilliance in being the catalyst that brings teams and projects together.

Add it to your elevator pitches, your LinkedIn profiles, your resumes and your cover letters.

Don’t hide your magic anymore.

We need you.

We need you to lead us more than ever.