There are three things you can be in your career.

1. Specialist
2. Generalist
3. Hybrid

There are areas in which specialists are needed, doctors, for example. But in knowledge work, it might not be a good idea.

Being a generalist is another idea. But that means you never dig deep into anything.

The hybrid path means having two or more things you have expertise in. If these things are adjacent you get a T-shape. If not, then you get a U-shape.

I have come across these views at many times in my career. TCS has an internal T-factor score for example, for all associates.

I used to consider myself a generalist before reading Kepano’s - Don’t specialize, hybridize. I recognise myself to be a T-shaped hybrid. I do get tempted from time to time, to further dabble in the arts, learn to draw, paint, make art for my books and poems.

Branching out into a U-shape sounds fun. I am not sure if I will be able to achieve it though.