Being a generalist requires a set of skills for successful generalizing! In general, the skills are softer and less tangible. Below is a generic list of generalist skills which can vary across culture, environment and situation. This list is based on observations from personal experience, and in my practice of coaching and training leaders and managers.
1. Curiosity - the ability to see beyond what is already there, to ask questions that expand thinking and create a new way of viewing something. These “curiosity” questions are ones that can’t be answered easily, ones that require stopping and thinking about it.
2. Vision – If a vision already exists, the skill is having the ability to understand it, what it means and how to align each thought and action of your team to the vision along with you. If a vision doesn’t exist, a generalist knows how to create one that works. A generalist also knows when a vision just doesn’t work anymore and may be in need of updating or re-creating.
3. Balance and Priority – A generalist knows when enough is enough, when to take action, what’s important and when to do more research. A generalist also knows when to stop because more effort equals low or no return. The interrelatedness of the tasks is clear to a generalist, and the relationship of the tasks to the vision, also when to switch context from one priority or area to another – these are all generalist skills.
4. Current and Updated -Successful generalists know what areas they must have knowledge in themselves, so they can ask the right questions and align tasks and priorities. They also know how deep their knowledge needs to be in any given area, and how to stay current in this area if they need to. Being perfect or being an expert is not the goal for generalists. They are also aware of the limits of their knowledge and know when to consult with or bring in a specialist.
5. Connections/Meaning Making – Generalists don’t limit themselves to traditional thinking. Just because something is done one way and has always been done that way, doesn’t mean it is right or that there is not a better way to do it now! They are always considering why something is the way it is and looking to find meaning and connections in what often appear to be unrelated areas. For example, sport metaphors are often used to describe business strategies. Another example is the thinking behind a peer of mine who is using archetypes to design Museum exhibits that are coherent and appeal to all of our senses. See http://www.exhibitsmatter.com/home.asp for more information.
6. Decision Making/Problem Solving – Using a variety of skills such as collaboration, research, listening, analysis, inspiring others, and more, generalists are able to pull all the possible solutions, impacts, costs and results out before making a decision or solving a problem in a timely way. They know when to stop to analyze and when to move forward, and that no decision is 100% perfect. They know when a decision or problem may need to be revisited.
7. Communication – Generalists thrive on the diversity and potential of people the same way that they thrive on the possibility of new ideas and solutions. They know how to inspire, to see potential and to get the best out of each individual. The specific communication skills that enable them as generalists are: creating spontaneous and effective dialogue, and building on, incorporating and adding to a discussion, being able to summarize and articulate the true core of a complex topic or complex conversation, translating and making shared meaning of apparently diverse points of view.
