17d • General discussion
The Generalist's Trap: Why "I Can Do Everything" Is a Liability in Consulting
In your technical role, being the versatile "jack-of-all-trades" is a badge of honour. You are the go-to expert for diverse projects, a prized asset.
Why does the very skill that made you a star employee become a liability as a consultant?
The answer is simple: clients don't hire consultants to do a little bit of everything. They hire specialists to solve their most urgent and expensive problems better than anyone else.
When you market yourself as someone who can handle anything from process optimisation to data analysis, you fall into the Generalist's Trap. This approach immediately dilutes your credibility; a consultant who claims expertise in everything is often trusted to be an expert in nothing.
In fact, over half of consulting buyers express concern over "fragmented expertise" when hiring.
This forces you to compete on price, not value. Generalist skills are easily compared and commoditised, leading to lower fees and unstable client relationships.
Meanwhile, specialists command premium rates, often 30-50% higher, and their referrals generate 47% higher conversion rates.
Choosing to be a generalist isn't keeping your options open; it's closing the door to high-value opportunities.
Have you ever felt the pressure to be everything to everyone? Share your experience in the comments below.
1
0 comments
The Generalist's Trap: Why "I Can Do Everything" Is a Liability in Consulting
powered by
skool.com/smart-assist-1015
Helping Technical Professionals Build Smart Consulting Practices with AI Assist.
Suggested communities
Powered by