John De Goes’ blog

In today’s talent market, companies are eager to select the ideal candidate for their specific needs. This has many reasons: First, we have a market flooded with talent, a large number of whom come from the numerous layoffs we continue to see on the technology scene. One should ask oneself why these companies manage it so easily to decrease their workforce so dramatically and remain competitive in such a challenging market. We do, however, have abundant talent from that background. Many hiring managers find said experience attractive since it presents an opportunity to learn what industry leaders are doing from the inside. Then, you have labor laws around the globe, which make ending a working relationship a nightmare for companies. This forces them to select the perfect fit for their needs in the recruitment process, to avoid the pain of firing the wrong candidate.

Given these conditions, most companies hiring today are looking for a specialist, someone with identical experience to match their needs. This is a mythical Product Manager who has already faced all the challenges their organizations face today and come up with the exact solution they need today.

But they forget about one simple fact: Every company is different, faces different challenges, and needs the ability to focus on their needs and tailor solutions based on the current challenges they face. Of course, experience plays a fundamental role, but also adaptability, flexibility, and an Agile mindset.

In my experience, generalist product managers have several advantages over specialist product managers.

Firstly, generalists are more flexible, keeping an open mind and adopting a more adaptable approach. They can easily switch between different projects and domains, bringing a fresh perspective to each one. On the other hand, specialists tend to be more rigid in their approach, focusing solely on their specific areas of expertise. This flexibility of generalists allows them to quickly adapt to changing market demands and tackle a wide range of challenges.

Secondly, generalists are more open to new learning, which shortens their learning curves. They are not limited to a narrow field of knowledge and are more willing to explore and acquire new skills. In contrast, specialists may be reluctant to step outside their comfort zones and may struggle to adapt when faced with unfamiliar situations.

Recruitment-wise, hiring a generalist saves time and money. Generalists possess a diverse skill set that makes them versatile and capable of handling various tasks. They can quickly grasp the nuances of a business and contribute effectively to different areas. On the other hand, finding suitable specialists, especially for niche businesses, can be challenging and time-consuming, ultimately increasing recruitment costs.

In conclusion, while both generalist and specialist product managers bring unique strengths to the table, generalists’ advantages in terms of flexibility, adaptability, learning agility, and recruitment efficiency make them valuable assets in today’s dynamic and fast-paced product development landscape.

It is pertinent to note that this article is based on my professional experience and generalizes it. Many specialists are bold professionals who eagerly seek knowledge and factor it into their work, achieving impressive results. I just haven’t had the chance to work with them.