Reflections on David Epstein’s Range: Why Generalists Thrive in a Specialized World

I recently read Range: Why Generalists Thrive in a Specialized World by David Epstein. I found the book to be an easy read that also produced a good deal of reflection.

The Generalist Perspective

Epstein highlighted example after example of how individuals with a range of knowledge rather than a deep concentration of knowledge in one field were more likely to solve problems.

He also highlighted examples of how diverse teams were more effective than teams where individuals had the same backgrounds, and how people with knowledge outside of a specific domain could often find solutions to challenging problems faster than experts could, because they brought a different perspective.

Benefits of a Broader Context

This idea that people with exposure to many different areas (rather than focusing their attention from an early age on a particular skill or knowledge base) are actually more successful goes against common wisdom. However—and this is where I spent a good deal of time reflecting—having a broad range of knowledge can be particularly useful for critical thinking.

A few posts ago, I shared about critical thinking and how an individual must have content knowledge in order to think critically about the subject. Certainly, being an expert in a particular field is going to allow a person to think critically about many aspects of that field. However, when the problems require a brand new application of knowledge or a new way of approaching a topic, specialization can be a detriment because people may not have enough information or context about additional ways to approach a problem.

Knowledge that Connects and Complements

As librarians, we occupy a unique position at the intersection of diverse knowledge domains, which gives us valuable interdisciplinary insights that others may not have developed. While specialists often dive deep into their particular fields, our professional role requires us to maintain broad awareness across multiple disciplines (even as subject-matter experts), understanding how different bodies of knowledge connect and complement each other. This wide-ranging perspective enables us to spot patterns, draw unexpected parallels, and propose innovative solutions that might not occur to those working within domains that are more specialized.

Analogies and Adaptation

This breadth of knowledge, combined with our experience in information organization and retrieval, equips us to approach challenges from novel angles. When confronted with organizational or community problems, we can often draw upon examples, methodologies, or solutions from entirely different fields that could be successfully adapted to address the current situation.

Generalist Librarians Build Bridges

However, many generalist librarians may hesitate to voice their ideas, perhaps feeling that their perspectives are not as relevant as those of subject matter experts. This self-doubt can deprive organizations and communities of valuable insights. It is crucial to recognize that our broad knowledge base is not a limitation—it is an asset that allows us to bridge silos of expertise and propose creative solutions.

Diversity Leads to Alternatives

Therefore, when you see an opportunity for improvement or have an idea for addressing a challenge, share it confidently. Your unique vantage point as an information professional means you may have identified approaches that others, despite their expertise in specific areas, have not considered. Organizations benefit most when they can draw upon diverse perspectives, and your wide-ranging knowledge base provides exactly that kind of valuable alternative viewpoint.