I just spent 45 min on a flight writing and reflecting on this exact skill that you summed up perfectly in two sentences — “I’ve always been good at making sense of the world. Throw a million seemingly random bits of information at me and eventually I’ll uncover patterns and see how things link up.” I resonate more and more with each post. Thank you!!
This is so so helpful as a framework (I bloody love a framework!)
I think in truth, I am a multi-hyphenate that is struggling with this idea of not defining myself in a neat nichey way. Loving this series Anna! Bonnie x
Anna this is brilliant and couldn't have come at a better time. I have been racking my brain on this very topic lately, unsure how to "position" myself as a consultant. I feel I'm something between the special generalist, the true generalist and even the multi hyphenate.... but even with this understanding, I get overwhelmed with how to start promoting myself, what topics to start with, how to help others make sense of the value that I offer. Looking forward to hearing more on this topic!
It’s so hard to wrap your head around isn’t it 😂. I’m working on another newsletter that extends this framework to really help people (and myself) get clear on how to communicate value at the broad end of the portfolio career continuum. It’s still marinating but I’ll be sharing it over the next few weeks 🫶
Wondering if there’s another category or maybe it’s a ‘level’ within some of the categories in this excellent framework , where you have developed the service through lived experience? Something I’m working with now, finding myself using all my ideas and spinning plates to explore and craft ways to find solutions for others but seems to be about solving my own pain points as well. Just throw healthy and mindful ageing, last act careers, coaching, business development, strategic planning, branding, innovation, proposal pitching, into the pot and see what bubbles up😁
I like this! I wonder if that's a type of Generalist? Being able to offer lots of different types of services or different ways of adding value, not only through your direct work experience but through broader life experience?
Very much love this and need to consider how i weave this in to my thinking and writing about finding your purpose... You've definitely made me rethink some angles I have been taking and I see myself for sure in the more generalist end of the spectrum 😍
Really enjoyed this series Anna, thank you. I work in the creative industries where portfolio practice / business models are the norm. I think this complexity is inherent and brings huge value. I love the link between pattern making and portfolio working too, can relate. I've written about the link between complexity and portfolio working here, would love to know if this concepts resonates. We are all creative afterall! https://substack.com/@creativebreakthrough/p-141240399
Great Article. I think you're spot on. A lot of the time we generalists don't feel like we're worth much because we can't wait long enough to get the acclaim of being really special at something. But thats judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree. The special connections and insights we make is our "Specialization", and there aren't many who can replicate it.
Couldn’t agree more - the value lies in our unique POV and approach to task and problems rather than in having hard skills per se. I love being a generalist!
Another great read! Have you ever had trouble selling yourself as a Multi-Hyphenate or Generalist when a client or company was looking for a specialist? As someone who rides that line between Generalist/ Multi-Hyphenate I’ve felt in certain situations that when you say “I can do a lot of things”, potential clients can take that as “I will say I can do whatever you need to get your business”. I have success and experience to back myself up but it can sometimes be an interesting conversation when you really CAN do a lot of things.
I’m quite strategic in terms of how I have conversations with potential clients. I never pitch myself as someone who can do everything. First, I ask:
What problems are you trying to solve in your business right now?
What are the most important things to tick off your list in the next 3-6 months?
What keeps you up at night?
Where are the gaps in your team?
Then once I know these answers, I pitch myself back as the solution to the exact problems they’ve just mentioned (if of course I feel capable to deliver). I tailor the sales pitch in each convo. Works a treat 😊
It is so helpful to have this articulated in this way. I always default to looking externally for the thread—the thing that ties together my “elevator speech.” A: I need to ditch the idea of an elevator speech (I’m more complicated than that, and that’s okay!). And B: I am the thread; I need to introduce myself.
¡Gracias! This is very relieving. I've been struggling for years with this need to both understand myself and justify to others why I can't stick to 1 thing, why I am unable to fit into a Box (I mean, I even have 2 nationalities...). Since I read about Barbara Sher's concept of "scanners" I stopped feeling guilty. However today, ironically, knowing that I can put myself into a multi hyphenated box, even though it is what we call in Spanish "cajón de sastre" (something like a hotchpotch drawer) I feel understood and relieved. I guess we all need to fit in after all, even within the nonfitters tribe... So, thank you ❤️. I'm new to your stack but already loving it!
It’s our natural instinct to want to define ourselves in a really clear and buttoned up way but the fact of the matter is that humans are messy, and that’s ok ❤️
This is interesting, Anna! I make money as a General Specialist. At least I think it’s how I’d define myself. I’m a freelance content marketer and writer, offering services to tech companies in a range of industries/sectors. On a high-level, I’m definitely a multi-hyphenate — I just don’t make money with everything, so I’m not sure if I can define it as a multi-hyphenate career. Haha. I have many interests though like making beaded jewelry (I have sold some), oil painting (no one would ever buy it!), playing the piano, and also building my Substack (3 ppl pay so far, so that’s a win!). P.S. I like your infographics. What tool do you use to create them?
I totally feel you - I'm a General Specialist when it comes to prestige beauty (because that's the industry I worked in before going out on my own, and I consult with lots of beauty brands too), but am definitely a True Generalist in a lot of ways as I also work across fashion, retail and tech. And a multi-hyphenate when it comes to my broader interests. It's not a perfect framework for sure!
And I draw these little drawings on my iPad with an Apple Pen 😂
The timing of the latest edition of your newsletter is 🙌. Thank you.
“If you’re a Generalist or Multi-Hyphenate like me, your value proposition is YOU. Your niche is YOU. People are buying YOU. The link is YOU”.
This makes total sense as to why I have been unable to define (up until now) what the outputs are. Because for me, and the work that I do, it’s all about the inputs. Traditional marketing concepts leave my head in a swirl, I don’t fit in a box. Thank you Anna for being a breath of fresh air and redefining what’s possible
I just spent 45 min on a flight writing and reflecting on this exact skill that you summed up perfectly in two sentences — “I’ve always been good at making sense of the world. Throw a million seemingly random bits of information at me and eventually I’ll uncover patterns and see how things link up.” I resonate more and more with each post. Thank you!!
You’re a pattern maker too! I genuinely think this is a skill - making order where there seemingly is none ❤️
This is so so helpful as a framework (I bloody love a framework!)
I think in truth, I am a multi-hyphenate that is struggling with this idea of not defining myself in a neat nichey way. Loving this series Anna! Bonnie x
How good is a framework! Haha thanks Bonnie 🩷
Anna this is brilliant and couldn't have come at a better time. I have been racking my brain on this very topic lately, unsure how to "position" myself as a consultant. I feel I'm something between the special generalist, the true generalist and even the multi hyphenate.... but even with this understanding, I get overwhelmed with how to start promoting myself, what topics to start with, how to help others make sense of the value that I offer. Looking forward to hearing more on this topic!
Lisa xx
It’s so hard to wrap your head around isn’t it 😂. I’m working on another newsletter that extends this framework to really help people (and myself) get clear on how to communicate value at the broad end of the portfolio career continuum. It’s still marinating but I’ll be sharing it over the next few weeks 🫶
Very much looking forward to it!
Wondering if there’s another category or maybe it’s a ‘level’ within some of the categories in this excellent framework , where you have developed the service through lived experience? Something I’m working with now, finding myself using all my ideas and spinning plates to explore and craft ways to find solutions for others but seems to be about solving my own pain points as well. Just throw healthy and mindful ageing, last act careers, coaching, business development, strategic planning, branding, innovation, proposal pitching, into the pot and see what bubbles up😁
I like this! I wonder if that's a type of Generalist? Being able to offer lots of different types of services or different ways of adding value, not only through your direct work experience but through broader life experience?
Oh, absolutely! I’ve been —and still am— learning via trial-and-error! It’s how I came to do what I do, actually!
Very much love this and need to consider how i weave this in to my thinking and writing about finding your purpose... You've definitely made me rethink some angles I have been taking and I see myself for sure in the more generalist end of the spectrum 😍
Oo I’d love to hear more about the connection you’re making with this framework and purpose?!
Really enjoyed this series Anna, thank you. I work in the creative industries where portfolio practice / business models are the norm. I think this complexity is inherent and brings huge value. I love the link between pattern making and portfolio working too, can relate. I've written about the link between complexity and portfolio working here, would love to know if this concepts resonates. We are all creative afterall! https://substack.com/@creativebreakthrough/p-141240399
Thank you for linking this 😊❤️
Great Article. I think you're spot on. A lot of the time we generalists don't feel like we're worth much because we can't wait long enough to get the acclaim of being really special at something. But thats judging a fish by its ability to climb a tree. The special connections and insights we make is our "Specialization", and there aren't many who can replicate it.
Couldn’t agree more - the value lies in our unique POV and approach to task and problems rather than in having hard skills per se. I love being a generalist!
Sounds logical to me
Great work in defining them so clearly!
This is educational and inspiring. Amazing post!
Thanks!
Another great read! Have you ever had trouble selling yourself as a Multi-Hyphenate or Generalist when a client or company was looking for a specialist? As someone who rides that line between Generalist/ Multi-Hyphenate I’ve felt in certain situations that when you say “I can do a lot of things”, potential clients can take that as “I will say I can do whatever you need to get your business”. I have success and experience to back myself up but it can sometimes be an interesting conversation when you really CAN do a lot of things.
I’m quite strategic in terms of how I have conversations with potential clients. I never pitch myself as someone who can do everything. First, I ask:
What problems are you trying to solve in your business right now?
What are the most important things to tick off your list in the next 3-6 months?
What keeps you up at night?
Where are the gaps in your team?
Then once I know these answers, I pitch myself back as the solution to the exact problems they’ve just mentioned (if of course I feel capable to deliver). I tailor the sales pitch in each convo. Works a treat 😊
It is so helpful to have this articulated in this way. I always default to looking externally for the thread—the thing that ties together my “elevator speech.” A: I need to ditch the idea of an elevator speech (I’m more complicated than that, and that’s okay!). And B: I am the thread; I need to introduce myself.
You are the thread! ❤️
So seen! You are on fire sistah 🙏
🥰
¡Gracias! This is very relieving. I've been struggling for years with this need to both understand myself and justify to others why I can't stick to 1 thing, why I am unable to fit into a Box (I mean, I even have 2 nationalities...). Since I read about Barbara Sher's concept of "scanners" I stopped feeling guilty. However today, ironically, knowing that I can put myself into a multi hyphenated box, even though it is what we call in Spanish "cajón de sastre" (something like a hotchpotch drawer) I feel understood and relieved. I guess we all need to fit in after all, even within the nonfitters tribe... So, thank you ❤️. I'm new to your stack but already loving it!
It’s our natural instinct to want to define ourselves in a really clear and buttoned up way but the fact of the matter is that humans are messy, and that’s ok ❤️
This is interesting, Anna! I make money as a General Specialist. At least I think it’s how I’d define myself. I’m a freelance content marketer and writer, offering services to tech companies in a range of industries/sectors. On a high-level, I’m definitely a multi-hyphenate — I just don’t make money with everything, so I’m not sure if I can define it as a multi-hyphenate career. Haha. I have many interests though like making beaded jewelry (I have sold some), oil painting (no one would ever buy it!), playing the piano, and also building my Substack (3 ppl pay so far, so that’s a win!). P.S. I like your infographics. What tool do you use to create them?
I totally feel you - I'm a General Specialist when it comes to prestige beauty (because that's the industry I worked in before going out on my own, and I consult with lots of beauty brands too), but am definitely a True Generalist in a lot of ways as I also work across fashion, retail and tech. And a multi-hyphenate when it comes to my broader interests. It's not a perfect framework for sure!
And I draw these little drawings on my iPad with an Apple Pen 😂
The timing of the latest edition of your newsletter is 🙌. Thank you.
“If you’re a Generalist or Multi-Hyphenate like me, your value proposition is YOU. Your niche is YOU. People are buying YOU. The link is YOU”.
This makes total sense as to why I have been unable to define (up until now) what the outputs are. Because for me, and the work that I do, it’s all about the inputs. Traditional marketing concepts leave my head in a swirl, I don’t fit in a box. Thank you Anna for being a breath of fresh air and redefining what’s possible
Yay! So happy this landed with you. Hopefully it helps you shape your offering and how you communicate it with your potential clients :)