Comments on: The Tech Generalist Dilemma – Are You a New or a True Generalist? http://www.charleshudson.net/the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist This is my personal website for posting my views on the world of technology and gadgets. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 02:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dennis C Carey http://www.charleshudson.net/the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist/comment-page-1#comment-54666 Dennis C Carey Tue, 03 Feb 2009 20:38:00 +0000 http://www.charleshudson.net/?p=460#comment-54666 thanks for the post thanks for the post

]]> By: busby_seo_test http://www.charleshudson.net/the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist/comment-page-1#comment-54497 busby_seo_test Wed, 03 Dec 2008 04:02:41 +0000 http://www.charleshudson.net/?p=460#comment-54497 Very interesting article. This is very useful. Keep up posting meaningful articles that will help many readers and bloggers. God bless and keep shining..... Very interesting article. This is very useful. Keep up posting meaningful articles that will help many readers and bloggers. God bless and keep shining…..

]]> By: chudson http://www.charleshudson.net/the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist/comment-page-1#comment-54191 chudson Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:00:11 +0000 http://www.charleshudson.net/?p=460#comment-54191 Greg,<br><br>I agree - I think the right end goal for most true generalists is to be the "business founder" of his or her own company at some point. A lot of the generalist track for someone with that ambition is about skill acquisition - knowing enough about a variety of functions to be able to get them done capably until a full team is hired. <br><br>I think there are two things that seem to set successful true generalists apart:<br><br>1. Enough successful experience in a number of core functions to be able to credibly "stop gap" multiple functions until the company needs a dedicated person. To me, this normally takes a stint or two in each of the core functions and a mastery of the basic tools (how to run a marketing campaign, how to negotiate a deal, how to write a PRD, etc). <br><br>2. Enough self awareness to realize that there is always a time to cede part of his or her sphere of tasks to a specialist. Part of what makes being a generalist fun is that you get to do a bit or most of everything. At some point, that just doesn't scale - you have to let go of things. <br><br>I have lots of other thoughts on this - maybe I'll turn it into a separate post down the road. Greg,

I agree – I think the right end goal for most true generalists is to be the “business founder” of his or her own company at some point. A lot of the generalist track for someone with that ambition is about skill acquisition – knowing enough about a variety of functions to be able to get them done capably until a full team is hired.

I think there are two things that seem to set successful true generalists apart:

1. Enough successful experience in a number of core functions to be able to credibly “stop gap” multiple functions until the company needs a dedicated person. To me, this normally takes a stint or two in each of the core functions and a mastery of the basic tools (how to run a marketing campaign, how to negotiate a deal, how to write a PRD, etc).

2. Enough self awareness to realize that there is always a time to cede part of his or her sphere of tasks to a specialist. Part of what makes being a generalist fun is that you get to do a bit or most of everything. At some point, that just doesn't scale – you have to let go of things.

I have lots of other thoughts on this – maybe I'll turn it into a separate post down the road.

]]> By: gregboutin http://www.charleshudson.net/the-tech-generalist-dilemma-are-you-a-new-or-a-true-generalist/comment-page-1#comment-54190 gregboutin Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:24:18 +0000 http://www.charleshudson.net/?p=460#comment-54190 Very true, Charles, I agree with your views. I'd add that he true generalist you describe really should go for his own venture at some point., and generally will. That's why as a smaller company, you may still want to give a job to less experienced folks who are more likely to stick around. Charles, I'd love to read your thoughts on what makes a really good "true" generalist, based on your experience. What differentiates the great ones from the rest, i.e. which are their success drivers? Very true, Charles, I agree with your views. I'd add that he true generalist you describe really should go for his own venture at some point., and generally will. That's why as a smaller company, you may still want to give a job to less experienced folks who are more likely to stick around. Charles, I'd love to read your thoughts on what makes a really good “true” generalist, based on your experience. What differentiates the great ones from the rest, i.e. which are their success drivers?

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