Thinking Across Disciplines

The term “generalist” keeps popping up in business, social media, publications, and communities lately, so I thought I’d explore it a bit today.

What does it mean to be a “generalist”? Basically, we’re talking about people who have gathered experience and knowledge across multiple fields, who can draw from different disciplines. Instead of diving deep into just one specialty, they’ve built meaningful knowledge in various areas. But of course, this term sometimes comes with criticism, like being “a jack of all trades, master of none,” while other times it’s hailed as “the most valuable skill of the future.”

If we want to dig a bit deeper, there are different dimensions to consider.

First, there’s the sociological angle. New generations, especially Gen Z, have a different take on careers compared to previous ones. They prefer trying out different roles, moving between disciplines, and carving their own paths rather than getting stuck in a single specialty. We could say this approach aligns more with the horizontal, multifaceted nature of Web3 than the more hierarchical structure of Web2. Considering all the new technologies, it’s not surprising that the Web3 ecosystem is largely made up of younger folks.

The second dimension is neuroscientific. Research points to the concept of “cognitive flexibility”: the brain’s ability to adapt to new situations, integrate different pieces of information, and come up with alternative solutions. While this skill is partly innate, it can be strengthened by exposure to diverse experiences and interdisciplinary work. Neuroscience studies also note that this flexibility is especially strong in people with experience across different fields. So being a generalist isn’t just a career choice; it’s a process that touches on how the brain learns and thinks.

Here’s an important reminder or note: being a “generalist” isn’t better or worse than being an “expert” in something. Both approaches are valuable, and often they complement each other. Having generalists who can view things from multiple angles alongside experts who have deep knowledge in one area boosts a team’s problem-solving power.

We see plenty of examples of this in the Web3 ecosystem too. A community manager might also provide feedback to the product team and have insights into user experience, a marketing leader might offer ideas about token economics, or a developer might ponder community psychology. In this fast-changing, horizontal world, the “generalist” approach often works like a “necessity.”

Looking at my own career, I honestly see a somewhat “generalist” journey. Over 25 years, I’ve had roles ranging from customer relations to cybersecurity expertise, from wholesale sales to the innovative tech space of Web3. Back then, this diversity seemed a bit “unsteady,” but looking back now, I see it led me to this very “generalist” perspective.

Maybe the real question is this: In the future of work, will we need more specialists, or “generalists” who can bridge different fields?