Multi-Specialized

This week’s tip is again a comment on last week’s guest column, Women’s Progress in Corporate America - Painfully Slow by William Morin. He summarizes research and recommendations made by Catalyst, a not-for-profit research organization which focuses on women’s issues in the workplace.

"Become multi-specialized. This term is new. It represents the idea of not becoming so specialized that you are boxed in and not seen as a general manager. General management is the best type of overall skill to possess today."

We all know stories of people who have been successful at diverse things. Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. was a film producer, bootlegger during the prohibition, chairman of the SEC, and ambassador to Britain. None was a prerequsite to the next, but that didn't hinder his success.

Women somehow juggle the responsibilities of children, home, career, aging parents, and community. Certainly, we are seen as multi-tasked. Yet, women who do research tell us we are not multi-specialized and need to become so. What's the difference between being multi-tasked and multi-specialized? I believe it is in the perception of qualifications needed.

Women are the ones who assume we cannot move into a position without very specific experience and/or education. We are the ones who eliminate ourselves from the running at the first indication that we might not have every single last credential. This is usually different than the way we behave outside our office. We need to remember the 40% rule at work as well as at home. (See Each of Us)

In fact, the skills needed to handle decision-making positions are more alike than they are different. Skills are very transferable. We need to demonstrate this to others. Then we can move from position to position, gaining the experience and expertise needed in different areas. Only by taking on what we are not exactly completely sure of can we actually gain what we need. Awareness is the first step. Small adjustments make a big difference.