The world isn’t black and white, and neither is your skill set.
Do you enjoy working with numbers and find that data speaks to you? Great.
Do you find design and creativity vital to your daily life? Perfect.
Or do you find communicating with people the highlight of your day? Awesome.
But what if you enjoy all these things?
“In this digital age, having a multifaceted skill set is a benefit, not a disadvantage. ”
Click to Tweet
In this digital age, having a multifaceted skill set is a benefit, not a disadvantage. Wearing many hats or being a generalist is a strong way to get started in an industry and discover the areas you most enjoy. Thinking in different ways, staying organized, and trying your hand at a variety of tasks will keep you on your toes and help you add value to any organization. We’ve laid out some advice to help you successfully build your skill set while balancing your diverse responsibilities.
How to successfully wear many hats
- Be adaptable. Being adaptable and open to change is vital in any role, especially one that has several areas of focus. When you open yourself up to different tasks, you get the opportunity to flesh out your skill set. Don’t be afraid to take on projects as they come and continually push yourself to grow. Use your diverse skill set to work cross-functionally and adapt quickly to changes.
- Find your unique perspective. When you work cross-functionally and across departments, you gain a view of the organization as a whole, not just one niche. Communication and internal processes are more visible when you work within them every day. When you understand how things work, you can make them better.
- Communicate. Strong communication makes any project easier to manage. Also, gaining experience in multiple fields and areas helps you more easily communicate with a diverse group of people. If someone relies on strict analytics, focuses on the inner creative idea, or needs to understand the big picture, you’re better positioned to provide those insights if you’re versed in each area.
- Stay organized. Working on a variety of tasks requires strong organizational skills. Use your planner, color code your calendar, and sort your emails daily. When you’re organized, you can easily jump between departments and minimize wasted time changing tracks.
- Don’t always say “yes.” With a wide skill set, you have to know where to draw the line. When you know how to approach problems and work in different fields, you can easily become the go-to person for solving problems. While that’s a great position to be in, you have to know when to focus and specialize your skills — and when to say “no” to additional projects. No one wants you stretched too thin.
Building a diverse skill set is helpful in identifying the areas you enjoy and the tasks that call to you. When you’ve worked cross-functionally, you bring a different perspective to projects and approach problem-solving differently. Follow our advice, and make the most of your diverse interests and skill set.
Related Resources:
Why Saying “No” May Be the Best Way to Set Goals
Wearing Many Hats: Specialism vs. Generalism
5 Essential Skills Marketers Need to Succeed This Year [Infographic]
More Content
5 Keys to Effective Global B2B Marketing
Because information technology—particularly the internet—has shrunk the world, marketers can now effectively reach audiences worldwide. International campaigns usually originate in the home market where the client’s central team and lead
3 Takeaways From B2B Marketing Exchange
Last week, B2B marketing professionals from across the country gathered to swap ideas and glean industry knowledge at the 2020 B2B Marketing Exchange. The three-day event offered over 100 sessions, delivered
Find Your Voice, Start a Revolution
What do you get when you mix a writer with virulent OCD, the “first couple” of comics, an Oscar-winning costume designer, and a handful of other storytelling powerhouses? You get
Leave A Comment