Choosing the right team can shape the future of your fledgling company. Will you opt for a crew of specialized experts, or versatile generalists who can turn their hand to any challenge?
One viable solution? Hiring a remote executive assistant — a generalist par excellence. Skilled in multitasking and adaptable by nature, an EA can pivot between tasks and departments. .
Whether you’re an ambitious startup leader or a curious professional, read on. You’ll come away with a deeper understanding of the generalist vs specialist debate, empowering you to make informed hiring decisions.
Why is Hiring Generalists Important for Startups?
Startup land is full of unexpected twists and turns. Having generalists on board equips startups with the versatility to navigate this uncharted terrain. They bring an array of talents, giving startups the flexibility they need to pivot at a moment’s notice.
1. Versatility and adaptability
Generalists, by their very nature, are versatile and adaptable. They’re not confined to a single specialty but can shift between tasks and roles as required, adjusting to the startup’s changing needs. This adaptability is a valuable asset in the rapidly changing landscape of a startup. For example, consider a sudden influx of customer support requests. A generalist could step in to handle this unexpected surge, then switch back to their regular duties once things calm down. It’s this ability to wear different hats, to switch gears quickly, that makes generalists a startup’s secret weapon. Another example? A generalist with skills in both finance and public speaking could step up to the plate, delivering a powerful pitch that could secure vital funding. In the ever-changing world of startups, having a team of flexible, multi-talented generalists can be the difference between success and stagnation.
2. Broad knowledge base and skills
Generalists have a broad knowledge base and skill set. They may not be the deepest experts in any one area, but they understand many areas pretty well. This understanding allows them to see connections and opportunities that specialists might miss. For instance, a generalist with knowledge in both marketing and software development can bridge the gap between these two areas, creating synergy and fostering more effective collaboration. In this sense, generalists can act as a glue, pulling together different areas of a startup into a cohesive whole.
3. Resource efficiency
Startups are often operating on a tight budget. Hiring generalists can be a more resource-efficient approach. They can handle a variety of tasks, reducing the need to hire multiple specialists. Imagine having a team member who can manage social media campaigns, troubleshoot IT issues, and contribute to product development. That’s three roles for the price of one. The cost savings and efficiencies from this can be a lifeline for cash-strapped startups.
4. Encouraging a culture of learning and innovation
Generalists often have a love for learning and an appetite for new experiences. They’re not content to stay in their lane but are continually seeking out new knowledge and skills. This mindset can help foster a culture of learning and innovation within a startup. The drive to explore and experiment is infectious and can spur the whole team to think more creatively and ambitiously. It’s this innovative spirit, this refusal to be boxed in, that can drive a startup’s growth and success.
What are the Key Traits to Look for When Hiring Generalists for a Startup?
When embarking on the exciting journey of building a startup, recruiting the right talent is a pivotal step. Generalists can bring incredible value to these early stages. These unique professionals bring a varied skill set, adaptability, and an ability to wear multiple hats, enabling them to contribute to different areas of the business. They can pivot quickly, think creatively, and solve problems from a broad perspective, which can be an invaluable asset in the dynamic and uncertain environment of a startup.
However, identifying these individuals during the hiring process may not always be straightforward. So, what traits should you look for when hiring generalists for a startup? Here’s a list of key characteristics that can help you spot these gems during your recruitment process.
1. Curiosity and love for learning
Generalists are typically marked by a boundless curiosity and a deep love for learning. They’re interested in a wide array of subjects and are always seeking to broaden their horizons. This trait can help your startup stay innovative, as they bring diverse ideas and viewpoints to the table. When hiring, look for candidates who are self-starters, display intellectual curiosity, and have a proven record of learning new skills.
2. Problem-solving skills
Generalists are often excellent problem solvers. They can pull from a wide array of knowledge and experiences to come up with innovative solutions. They’re comfortable thinking outside the box and aren’t afraid to challenge the status quo. During the hiring process, try to gauge a candidate’s problem-solving abilities by asking about complex problems they’ve solved in the past or proposing hypothetical situations for them to resolve.
3. Ability to handle ambiguity
Startups often come with a high degree of uncertainty and ambiguity. The best generalists thrive in this kind of environment. They can take incomplete or ambiguous information and make sensible decisions. They can also remain calm and effective when facing rapid change or uncertainty. To assess this, you can ask potential hires about times they’ve had to navigate ambiguity and how they managed it.
4. Strong communication and collaboration skills
Because generalists often serve as a bridge between different departments or specialties, strong communication and collaboration skills are crucial. They need to be able to understand and speak the language of different teams, facilitating effective collaboration. You can evaluate this by looking at their previous experiences in team settings and how effectively they communicate during the interview process.
5. Versatility and adaptability
Versatility and adaptability are perhaps the defining traits of a generalist. They should be comfortable wearing many hats and switching between different roles as needed. This allows them to meet the dynamic and often unpredictable needs of a startup. Look for individuals who have demonstrated this kind of versatility in their previous roles, such as taking on different responsibilities or learning new skills to meet a need.
How Can Startups Effectively Recruit and Hire Generalists?
Finding the right talent can be a make-or-break moment for startups. When that talent takes the form of generalists — those versatile, adaptable all-rounders — it adds a layer of complexity to the recruitment process. Unlike specialists, generalists aren’t defined by a specific skill set or field of expertise. Instead, they bring a broad range of skills and a willingness to wear many hats. So how can startups navigate this complex terrain and effectively recruit and hire these crucial team members? Let’s dive into some key strategies.
1. Building an attractive employer brand
A strong employer brand can attract the right kind of talent. By communicating your startup’s mission, values, and culture, you can attract generalists who are looking for a dynamic and flexible work environment. Showcasing your commitment to learning, growth, and innovation can also make your startup more appealing to these versatile professionals.
2. Creating versatile job descriptions
Generalists often thrive in roles that allow them to utilize a range of skills. Therefore, creating job descriptions that highlight the need for versatility, adaptability, and broad knowledge can attract the right candidates. Also, clearly stating that the role may evolve over time can be an added attraction for generalists.
3. Leveraging multiple recruitment channels
Using multiple recruitment channels can widen your talent pool and increase your chances of finding suitable generalists. In addition to job boards and recruitment agencies, consider using social media, networking events, and personal referrals. Each channel may attract different types of candidates, increasing your odds of finding the perfect fit.
4. Assessing soft skills and adaptability in interviews
Soft skills and adaptability are key traits of generalists. During interviews, focus on assessing these qualities. Behavioral and situational interview questions can help determine how a candidate might respond in different scenarios. Look for examples of problem-solving, adaptability, and continuous learning in their past experiences.
5. Offering growth and learning opportunities
Generalists value opportunities for growth and learning. Highlighting these opportunities during the recruitment process can make your startup more attractive. This might include professional development programs, cross-training opportunities, or a culture that encourages exploration and innovation.
How Can Startups Foster a Conducive Environment for Generalists?
While the value of generalists in startups is increasingly recognized, their potential can only be fully realized in the right environment. Generalists are agile learners who can weave together knowledge from various fields to solve complex problems. They are at their best when they can operate across disciplines, learn continuously, and be creative. Therefore, startups need to intentionally foster an environment that lets these generalists thrive. This involves creating a culture that encourages continuous learning, cross-functional collaboration, job rotation, inclusivity, flexibility, and innovation. Let’s explore how startups can create such an environment and make the most of the unique strengths that generalists bring to the table.
1. Providing opportunities for continuous learning
Given their innate curiosity, generalists thrive in environments that foster continuous learning. Offering training opportunities, supporting skill development, and encouraging curiosity can help retain and motivate generalists. This also helps to increase employee engagement!
2. Encouraging cross-functional collaboration
Encouraging collaboration across different departments can allow generalists to use their broad skill sets and foster innovation. Regular team projects, brainstorming sessions, and cross-functional teams can all help achieve this goal.
3. Allowing job rotation and broad role definition
Allowing job rotation and a broad role definition can help generalists stay engaged and utilize their varied skills. It also gives them a chance to gain a deeper understanding of different areas of your startup, which can lead to more innovative solutions. What’s more, when your employees know the ins and outs of the company, they can better represent the business and speak about it with more knowledgeable confidence.
4. Creating an inclusive and flexible culture
Generalists thrive in flexible, inclusive environments. A culture that encourages new ideas, allows for flexible working arrangements, and values diversity can create an environment where generalists can truly shine.
5. Providing room for innovation and idea generation
Given their broad knowledge and creative problem-solving abilities, generalists can be a significant source of innovation. Providing opportunities for them to propose new ideas and engage in creative brainstorming or problem solving can lead to more innovative solutions and help your startup stay competitive.
What are the Challenges of Hiring Generalists in Startups and How Can They be Addressed?
While hiring generalists for startups comes with numerous benefits, it also presents a unique set of challenges. These versatile professionals are not experts in a single domain but wear multiple hats, bringing adaptability and breadth of knowledge. However, this lack of specialization might also become a stumbling block, making it difficult to maintain a balance between generalization and specialization, creating career progression paths, nurturing specialist skills, and managing role expectations. Essentially, the absence of deep expertise in specific areas might pose difficulties.
Yet, like any challenge in a startup environment, these can be addressed with thoughtful strategies, ensuring your team of generalists remains a driving force for your company’s success. Here, we’ll look at these challenges in detail and discuss potential solutions.
1. Balancing between Generalists and Specialists
A healthy startup team needs a mix of generalists and specialists. While generalists bring flexibility and adaptability, specialists provide in-depth knowledge and expertise. Finding the right balance requires careful consideration of your startup’s needs and the specific skills required for your product or service. Consider hiring specialists for areas where deep expertise is essential and generalists for roles requiring versatility.
2. Developing Career Progression Paths for Generalists
Generalists might find it difficult to envision their career trajectory in a typical corporate hierarchy. Address this challenge by creating positions or career paths that value breadth of experience and learning. Foster a culture that celebrates continuous learning and versatility, and ensure these qualities are rewarded and recognized.
3. Nurturing Specialist Skills within a Generalist Role
Even as generalists juggle various roles, it’s important for them to develop specialist skills in areas of their interest. Providing opportunities for deep learning and specialization within their broader role can enhance their satisfaction and contribute more significantly to the startup.
4. Overcoming the Potential Lack of Deep Expertise
By their nature, generalists may not have the deep expertise that specialists possess. However, this can be mitigated by building a culture of continuous learning. Encourage generalists to deepen their knowledge in their areas of interest. Additionally, bringing in external consultants or mentors with specific expertise can help fill in gaps when necessary.
5. Managing Broad Expectations and Role Clarity
Given the broad skillset of generalists, there may be a temptation to overload them with diverse tasks. Maintain clear role expectations to avoid burnout and ensure they can focus effectively. Regular communication about their responsibilities and tasks can help maintain clarity and prevent confusion.
How Can Generalists Contribute to the Growth and Success of a Startup?
Startups, known for their dynamic and evolving environments, often face complex challenges that demand multifaceted solutions. It’s here that generalists, professionals who are well-versed in multiple disciplines, can shine brightly. These ‘renaissance individuals’ possess a broad set of skills and knowledge, providing them with the unique ability to view issues from various perspectives. They drive innovation, bring unique problem-solving approaches, bridge gaps between functions, and adapt swiftly to changing business needs. Moreover, they excel in promoting cross-functional collaboration and synergy, which are vital for any startup’s growth and success. So, how exactly do these generalists contribute to your startup’s journey? Let’s dive in to understand their role in more detail.
1. Driving innovation with diverse thoughts and ideas
Given their broad knowledge base and diverse experiences, generalists can generate a wide array of ideas and perspectives. This diversity of thought can lead to innovative solutions and products, contributing significantly to the startup’s growth and success.
2. Offering unique problem-solving approaches
Generalists are adept at viewing problems from multiple angles, allowing them to devise unique solutions. Their ability to think beyond traditional boundaries and draw on a range of disciplines can often result in out-of-the-box problem-solving approaches, invaluable for navigating a startup’s complex challenges.
3. Bridging gaps between different functions
As they possess knowledge in various domains, generalists can serve as a link between different functions within a startup. They can facilitate communication and collaboration across departments, ensuring the business operates as a unified, cohesive entity.
4. Flexibly adapting to changing business needs
The business landscape for startups can change rapidly, and generalists, with their broad skillset and adaptability, are well-equipped to cope with these changes. They can quickly pivot and adjust to new roles and responsibilities as needed, supporting the startup’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of change.
5. Facilitating cross-functional collaboration and synergy
With their ability to speak multiple ‘languages’ of different business functions, generalists can facilitate cross-functional collaboration. By fostering mutual understanding and synergy among various teams, they can enhance productivity and contribute to a more harmonious and efficient workplace.
How Do Generalists Fare in Remote and Virtual Startup Environments?
In today’s digital age, remote work and virtual teams have become increasingly prevalent, and startups are no exception. This shift towards virtual work environments has brought new opportunities and challenges for both businesses and their employees. For generalists, the individuals known for their adaptability and diverse skill sets, remote work can provide an exciting, flexible environment in which to thrive. However, to ensure their successful integration and productivity, certain elements need to be considered. From leveraging technology to building a supportive remote work culture, let’s explore how generalists can thrive in remote and virtual startup environments.
1. Build a Remote Work Culture that Values Versatility and Adaptability
Building a remote work culture that values versatility and adaptability can greatly benefit generalists. Encouraging them to apply their diverse skills, fostering open communication, and appreciating their adaptability can enhance their engagement and motivation. Moreover, offering them opportunities for continuous learning and growth, even in remote settings, can reinforce their commitment and loyalty towards the startup.
2. Focus on Building Strong Communication and Self-Management Skills
In remote and virtual environments, strong communication and self-management skills become particularly crucial. Generalists, often serving as the connecting link among various teams, need to communicate effectively across different platforms and time zones. Also, as remote work demands a high degree of autonomy and self-discipline, their ability to manage their time and responsibilities effectively can significantly influence their productivity and success. Startups can support them by providing communication and time-management training, as well as the necessary tools and resources.
3. Leverage Technology to Facilitate Cross-Functional Roles
With the advancement of technology, generalists can now easily navigate their cross-functional roles even in virtual settings. Various digital tools and platforms can help them collaborate with different teams, manage their tasks, and stay updated with latest trends or changes. Startups can empower their generalists by investing in appropriate technological tools and providing training to use them efficiently.
Generalists, with their diverse skills and flexibility, can be significant assets in remote work environments as they are adept at learning new technologies while juggling multiple roles and tasks, making them ideal for the often unpredictable and dynamic nature of remote work. They can also bring innovation and fresh perspectives, contributing to problem-solving and decision-making processes.
Wrapping Up: The Role of Generalists in Startups
Startups thrive on innovation, adaptability, and versatility — traits that are synonymous with generalists. From driving innovation to bridging gaps between different functions, generalists bring a unique value to startups. However, hiring, retaining, and developing generalists in startups come with its unique challenges.
Striking a balance between generalists and specialists, creating a conducive environment, and providing clear career paths are crucial to leverage the true potential of generalists. Remember, an effective collaboration with a skilled executive assistant can also help startups channel the strengths of generalists to improve productivity and success.
Many of our executive assistants are generalists. They’re not just proficient in one task, but they are experienced in working on a multitude of different tasks. What’s more, our EAs understand the unique dynamics of a startup environment.
Partnering with Persona can help you find a generalist that enables your startup to get going, so you and your entire team can focus on your specific talents and areas of expertise. With our stringent selection process, we ensure that our executive assistants are among the top 0.1% of applicants, guaranteeing you get only the best.
Let Persona’s executive assistant generalists drive your startup to success. To learn more about how our executive assistants can support your startup’s unique needs, contact us today.
