This is my second time speaking at this annual event for professionals. I was one of the speakers at their very first event, and it was heart-warming despite being held online due to the pandemic. So many real-life questions, so many sincere and honest stories shared.
But hey — online also means the reach can be nationwide, even overseas.
For 2026, I got the offer to talk about being a generalist.
The first thing on my mind was, of course, quoting David Epstein's Range. Sadly, when I went to look back at a few pages to reference… the book had gone missing! I've been in the middle of moving, so some of my books and other things are still packed away.
Anyway, there's so much validation out there (read: research by experts) for the idea that being a generalist — or a multi-specialist, as I prefer to call it — changes the way our brain works. And not just by fighting aging through neuroplasticity.
As human beings, our lives and personalities are both made up of layers. Not a single layer. No single thing can define us. The belief that "focusing" on one thing, in the name of maturity and growth, is the only way forward can quietly kill the spark in us — the spark to create, to be a trailblazer, or simply to solve problems in the field we specialize in.
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| Me enjoying my own session! |
Learning a few things deeply teaches our brain to work differently. Even learning two languages reshapes the way we construct our thoughts — not to mention planting the seeds of resilience and humility. In a foreign language, we go right back to spelling out the alphabet, memorizing colors, and wrestling with how to express the simplest need we'd say so easily in our mother tongue.
The identity, the resilience, and the brain.
Being a multi-specialist isn't about being cool or unique. It can be a safety net in times of uncertainty like the ones we're facing now — even if it sometimes turns into another episode of "doing three jobs in one role."
Developing my (simple!) deck took less than two weeks. Practicing, memorizing, perfecting.
I love how hard the volunteers and committee worked to make this happen. Many of them have day jobs, too, and they still pulled it all off.
What surprised me most? My room was full. Many in the audience were willing to stand along the sides once the seats ran out. Some even stood outside, watching through the glass wall.
So to everyone who came: I really hope you found something meaningful in my session. I was so touched by your kind words — nearly half of you came up afterward to introduce yourselves, share your worries, and ask for advice. That's why my heart felt so full that day.
So yes — thank you, Manager's Fest, for the opportunity!
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