Creative Work – The Specialist-Generalist

Years ago, I learnt from an American Procter & Gamble marketer that the first thing to do when presented with a piece of creative work is to 'give your gut' - your honest, instinctive, often slightly inarticulate gut reaction to what you're seeing. This takes a bit if courage as a Specialist-Generalist; especially facing the … Continue reading Give your Gut

The Specialist-Generalist Mindset

Here's what Harvard Business Review has to say on 'Imposter Syndrome', every Specialist-Generalist's constant companion:

"We’ve all had that feeling of being unqualified to do something we’ve been tasked to do. But the fact that everyone occasionally suffers from impostor syndrome (even CEOs and Prime Ministers) doesn’t make it any easier to handle.

Try these three things:

1) Recognise there are positives to being new in your field. When you’re not steeped in the conventional wisdom of a given profession or industry, you can ask questions that haven’t been asked before or approach problems in ways others haven’t thought of.

2) Adopt a learning mindset. Focus more on what you’re learning than on how you’re performing.

3) Know that you’re not alone. If you’re feeling like an impostor, chances are that others feel the same way."