Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein. Wow, I found Range brimming with rich insights to the idea of specialization versus generalists. What an enjoyable read! Actually so good in fact, I read the book twice.
Range examines the popular idea that specialization may actually set back our goals and abilities. Interestingly, the hook for Range is the Introduction: Roger versus Tiger. While the Introduction is easy fodder for TV interviews, radio, and podcast sessions and with the video clips below, book promotions.
However, such a well written book does not need this Roger versus Tiger segment at all. It is easy to understand why, However I wish Epstein would have left out the Introduction. It spoils the better, more powerful stories in the following chapters.
In other words, Range brings forward a lot of data to the idea that a well rounded individual can better understand issues and make critical decision versus a specialist. Generalists as Epstein reveals will benefit an organization, team or family on average, better than a specialist. But there is so much more to consider.
Epstein challenges popular specialization books from Angela Duckworth’s Grit to Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers (the 10,000 hour rule), among others regarding deliberate practice. Range suggests it is better (overall) to look past this and push yourself wider, rather than deeper. Surprisingly, Gladwell actually agrees with him.
Explore the World
Secondly, having a broad education permits students to explore many things, study a wide array of subjects, and most importantly learn to fail. To this end, Chapter 2: How the Wicked World was Made, addresses key research work of noted educator James Flynn. This leads to Epstein’s story about the value of the University of Chicago’s generalization degree:
Chicago has long prided itself on a core curriculum dedicated to interdisciplinary critical thinking. The two-year core, according to the university, “is intended as an introduction to the tools of inquiry used in every discipline—science, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences. The goal is not just to transfer knowledge, but to raise fundamental questions and to become familiar with the powerful ideas that shape our society.
Page 60-61
There is a logical position that students may indeed benefit from this approach to general studies at the bachelor level.
Document the World
Range also point to valuable communication across teams with diverse knowledge can be. Famed aerospace engineer Wernher von Braun established a tradition of “Monday Notes” while leading projects at NASA. A wide ranging audience across NASA reviewed engineering notes. As as organization they better understood engineering tasks and barriers, and ultimately found solutions by going wider. This seems even more effective with smaller, targeted teams.
Yet despite the progress, after von Braun departed NASA the Monday Notes meetings stopped. A type of Allegiance to Hierarchy emerged as a result. On the other hand, Epstein lingers about this while addressing the Challenger disaster. Painfully, Morton-Thiokol engineers had the notes, they just were not allowed to share them.
To that end Range reveals how important it can be for groups to look across wider teams/projects to identify systemic issues. Hard lessons indeed, however Range shows a way out for organizations.
I am just scratching the surface of Range with this post. I believe this book is well worth you time to improve your work/life balance.
Midtown Scholar Bookstore | An Evening with David Epstein
Hidden Forces | Range: Why Generalists Triumph in Today’s Specialized World
APB Speakers | Epstein and Gladwell discuss “Range” at MIT
TEDxManchester | How Falling Behind Can Get You Ahead
Afford Anything | David Epstein on Why Career Zigzagging is Smarter
Next Big Idea Club | Malcolm Gladwell in conversation with David Epstein