Rejecting Specialization

So in this post I’m going to reject the commonly accepted wisdom and look at why specializing is hard, why it fails and what an alternative path looks like. The answer lies in developing strong opinions and a distinctive vibe.

How strong opinions create the kind of trust and visibility required for senior, ambiguous work.

Two different approaches to finding your voice and point of view: “20% beefs” and the gap between industry and practice.

Instead, especially in the early days of consulting, you’re chasing the greatest possible surface area of distinct clients in an attempt to better understand the interplay of what you’re good at, what people will pay for and who you want to be.

(S)pecialization doesn’t lend itself well to novelty and surprise.

Developing a point of view is a long journey, and it’s not easy. But it’s a more forgiving path than specializing.

More than raw distribution though, exposing your style and sensibility is important. Not just for standing out in the networks and generating dialogue and discussion - but also because senior, ambiguous consulting work relies on navigating a trust gap like no other.

Building vibes is a different kind of work from specializing. You’re not just demonstrating expertise and competence but compatibility.

Part 1: Strong Opinions