Would you rather be an expert in one thing or adept at many things?

Perhaps you’ve heard about the 10,000 hour rule to perfect your craft. You spend all of your time learning or practicing everything possible about a particular area. You have significant depth in this area, but as it’s been your primary focus, you don’t have breadth in others.

Or, you can do a little bit everything. You would consider yourself skilled in a lot of areas but not a true master of any one specific thing. In this case, what you’re lacking in depth, you’ve covered in breadth.

So which is better?!

The answer is…it depends, and neither!

Some things call for masters. There’s no way around it. You need a true expert for one thing, the very best of the best.

Others call for generalists, someone who can do a little bit of everything – a jack of all trades.

It doesn’t make one better than another, it completely depends on the situation – in some cases, you need one or the other – in others, both.

For me, I like variety. I’m a jack of all trades kind of person and it has served me well. Particularly working with startups and emerging businesses, someone with a range of skills – who’s adaptable, flexible, versatile – can be of real value. I am a serial multi-tasker and I can’t imagine any other way.

…But how I admire those masters!