When talking with doctors, we patients are often reluctant to ask questions. Since we’re so reluctant to ask doctors about big things—like how to keep from going to an early grave—it’s no surprise that in many cases, we don’t even consider asking them about little things. ...
In any construction project, all of the technical experts work hard in their own areas of specialty. But without a generalist who can see the big picture, coordinate the various technical aspects, and keep everyone focused on the needs of the owner and end user, sometimes the entire project suffers....
Recently I was struck by the fact that the 2010 movie The King’s Speech includes several themes relevant to generalism.
The Academy Award-winning film is based on actual events in the lives of King George VI and an Australian speech therapist, Lionel Logue. The future king (at that time known as Prince Albert, Duke of York) turns to Logue as his last hope in overcoming a severe stammer. The rest of the movie shows both the progress of the therapy and the development of the two men’s friendship over the course of several years....
From the very beginning of my career, I found myself in situations where I had to learn about complex, highly technical issues and explain them to others. For instance, in my role as a liaison for the US Department of Energy, I educated government officials and others about policies related to the transportation and storage of nuclear waste....
You might know Oprah Winfrey from her long-running talk show. Maybe you’ve picked up her magazines, tuned in to a radio broadcast, seen her in a movie, watched her cable network, or picked up a novel from her book club. A media magnate, she glides from television to movies to magazines to politics and philanthropy, applying what she learns in one situation to make each following one a success. That’s earned her many titles, but what she really embodies is the spirit of a generalist....
