The performance after hiring depends on the nature of the company. In a start up environment, where you are expected to have multiple responsibilities, the person may succeed. But in big corporates, where you are siloed in a small functions, such people may not succeed.
Adam Smith famously argued that prosperity stems primarily from the division of labor. In his iconic pin factory example, ten specialized workers could produce 48,000 pins daily, averaging 4,800 pins per worker. Without specialization, an individual worker would struggle to produce even one pin per day.
Smith’s model, though, assumes ideal market conditions, large firms, economies of scale, and optimal management etc., where specialists benefit from bigger markets and higher rewards.
However, generalists thrive in early-stage startups, where versatility and adaptability are critical, and specialization can limit flexibility. As a company scales, generalists typically lose value compared to specialists.
A good rule of thumb: If you're a generalist unable to market yourself as a specialist, consider starting your own thing, don't be labour.
The performance after hiring depends on the nature of the company. In a start up environment, where you are expected to have multiple responsibilities, the person may succeed. But in big corporates, where you are siloed in a small functions, such people may not succeed.
Great insight.
Adam Smith famously argued that prosperity stems primarily from the division of labor. In his iconic pin factory example, ten specialized workers could produce 48,000 pins daily, averaging 4,800 pins per worker. Without specialization, an individual worker would struggle to produce even one pin per day.
Smith’s model, though, assumes ideal market conditions, large firms, economies of scale, and optimal management etc., where specialists benefit from bigger markets and higher rewards.
However, generalists thrive in early-stage startups, where versatility and adaptability are critical, and specialization can limit flexibility. As a company scales, generalists typically lose value compared to specialists.
A good rule of thumb: If you're a generalist unable to market yourself as a specialist, consider starting your own thing, don't be labour.