However, David Epstein’s research in his book Range shows
that generalists outperform specialists in complex, unpredictable
environments. This is because they can connect insights across
disciplines, adapt to new contexts, and transfer skills from one domain
to another.

A CAREER BUILT ON RANGE

In
2014, my friend Taylor (not his real name) told me he was confused
about his career. After earning an English degree, he joined Teach for
America’s prestigious program, and started teaching in an underserved
community. Great on paper. However, he wondered if this was where he
could make the best impact. He pivoted into coding and before long, he
was landing tech roles with increasing responsibility, including working
as an agile scrum master for Nike. As Taylor climbed the corporate
ladder at Nike, his coding skills that got him in the door became less
and less relevant.

What really mattered were the skills he’d been
building outside his technical expertise, like the ability to read a
room, manage diverse personalities, and find creative solutions to
complex problems. His English major background, teaching experience, and
coding career had each contributed uniquely to his toolkit.

THE GENERALIST SKILLS YOU SHOULD NURTURE

In
my work with thousands of young professionals for Venture for Canada, I
have found that while specialization holds a lot of value, the best
skill in an uncertain environment is the ability to adapt, learn, and
make connections across different domains.

You can build these skills by focusing on:

1) Communicating effectively:
The ability to articulate thoughts clearly, listen deeply, and navigate
complex interpersonal dynamics becomes particularly crucial for those
embarking on their professional journeys. I have observed how young
people who prioritize developing their communication skills often find
themselves better equipped to weather uncertainties.

2) Building genuine connections:
In the early days of fundraising for Venture for Canada, rejection
letters piled up fast. But things started to turn around when I stopped
trying to present a perfect facade. Instead of just running through
polished pitches, I started sharing the real story—the sleepless nights,
the moments of doubt, and the deep belief that kept me going despite it
all. Rather than weakening my position, this honesty strengthened it.

3) Collaborating effectively: In
any collaborative effort, especially in uncertain or fast-­moving
environments, two things are essential: being reliable and managing
conflict head on.

4) Mastering your time and focus: In his book How Will You Measure Your Life?, Clayton Christensen provides valuable insights into effective time management.
He emphasizes the importance of purposeful resource allocation. This
means being intentional about where you spend your time, ensuring that
activities contribute meaningfully to your goals.

5) Staying curious:
Curiosity allows you to reframe uncertainty not as something to fear,
but as an opportunity to explore. Instead of seeing the unknown as a
barrier, you start to view it as a space for possibility. Every
challenge becomes a puzzle, a series of “what if”s and “why not”s
waiting to be solved.

THE GEN Z ADVANTAGE

The
interesting paradox is that while the career landscape is more
uncertain than it arguably has ever been before, you are also better
equipped to adapt than any generation before you.

Older
generations did not grow up teaching themselves how to code or learning
other skills through YouTube tutorials. While the landscape is more
challenging in many ways, your competitive advantage is that you have
grown up with unprecedented access to knowledge, tools, and global
communities. You can teach yourself a skill for free online that once
required months of formal training. You can connect directly with peers
and experts around the world, share your work publicly, and receive
feedback in real time.

If you combine your built-in adaptability
with the deliberate cultivation of generalist skills, you can capitalize
on the current volatility to create opportunities.