Until recently, I exactly saw it as a liability having multiple interests and lacking focus. One of my mentors then asked me a question: "How did it serve you in the past having a lack of focus?" It turned out, quite well when I look at my weird journey through life. Thanks for providing another gem to the community! It reinforces what I'm planning to do with my life.
Thanks for a great article, Jurgen! I recognize the relentless curiosity (and restlessness, and occasional loneliness, for me). Asking the people to "Let's be Ravens" makes a lot of sense, but I wonder how to inspire/teach/nudge/etc, as deep curiosity seems to be linked to personality and inventor types of people. How do you take people with you?
I’m so glad I stumbled on this post, such a unique perspective. I’ve been noticing this shift too, but I could never pin it down or articulate it. My default thought was: maybe something’s wrong with me? Because whenever I share my insights, people look at me like I’m an idiot lol.
I’m in the middle of changing careers and I know I don’t want to be a therapist or a traditional coach. I’m more of a mash-up of everything, trying to fix bigger problems, having trouble to find a course. My brain is fully cooked at this point. 😭
Solid insights, Jurgen, and it's clear that this took quite a bit of careful, deep thinking. I've been encouraging my clients to shift from T-shaped skills models to M (or W) shaped ones for a few years now, and you've articulated why with more clarity than I had been able to.
And thanks for resisting the temptation to "just pick a lane." Focus is important, but synthesis can unlock at least as much value imo.
Until recently, I exactly saw it as a liability having multiple interests and lacking focus. One of my mentors then asked me a question: "How did it serve you in the past having a lack of focus?" It turned out, quite well when I look at my weird journey through life. Thanks for providing another gem to the community! It reinforces what I'm planning to do with my life.
Thanks for a great article, Jurgen! I recognize the relentless curiosity (and restlessness, and occasional loneliness, for me). Asking the people to "Let's be Ravens" makes a lot of sense, but I wonder how to inspire/teach/nudge/etc, as deep curiosity seems to be linked to personality and inventor types of people. How do you take people with you?
Leading by example?
I’m so glad I stumbled on this post, such a unique perspective. I’ve been noticing this shift too, but I could never pin it down or articulate it. My default thought was: maybe something’s wrong with me? Because whenever I share my insights, people look at me like I’m an idiot lol.
I’m in the middle of changing careers and I know I don’t want to be a therapist or a traditional coach. I’m more of a mash-up of everything, trying to fix bigger problems, having trouble to find a course. My brain is fully cooked at this point. 😭
Thank you, Jurgen!
The mash-ups own the future!
Keep reading. I have more posts coming. :-)
Solid insights, Jurgen, and it's clear that this took quite a bit of careful, deep thinking. I've been encouraging my clients to shift from T-shaped skills models to M (or W) shaped ones for a few years now, and you've articulated why with more clarity than I had been able to.
And thanks for resisting the temptation to "just pick a lane." Focus is important, but synthesis can unlock at least as much value imo.
Makes me curious about the correlation between being M-Skilled and Emotional Intelligence. Or, since I'm a fan, MBTI
Memories of Barbara Sher's _Refuse to Choose_.
Very interesting and smart text!