Know a little about everything or be the best in one???
Knowledge is power, as they say, and I preach knowledge every day to people I can reach. At Meshboc Ltd, we have a day set aside every week for team growth. The aim is to teach each other new things and to grow on every side. We understand the journey is far and we need to keep growing in knowledge every day. This helps us to have vast knowledge and to know a little about everything.
Some months ago, I got a task to build a Web app. I did the Basic UI design, UI documentation, worked the code side with React JS/Node JS, did graphics, and delivered the Job to the client. He loved it and that means I delivered involving nobody. This seems good, but I still doubt it is the best for consistent growth in one. I am a developer and I want to be among the best. There are many things I still do not know yet and I would like to spend more time learning and be better at it.
However, I think this wrap to being creative and intelligent. It will allow you to learn about everything in a short time and be able to apply when needed. Throughout last year, I did many graphics work for my client and they loved it, but I never learned graphics. I just have these Adobe packages on my computer and I play with Photoshop sometimes.
Early this year, I made a post on my plan to take on a course on AI and the Future of Automation at Nexford University. I feel this will make me more focused on coding-related things and I will grow considerably.
Conclusion
I think it is nice to know a little about everything but be the best in 1 or 2. You can be the best in content creation and know a little about HTML/CSS/JS. You can be a good product designer but have little knowledge of other things.
I grew up with a chemist (My mom). I used to see hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and many other chemicals every day. She carried out unique experiments every day. She was among the first people to produce Lithium Grease in Nigeria and she got the solution to reverse diesel. This was where I thought I will focus all my strengths, but it all changed. I still have an excellent knowledge of chemicals and how to manufacture many things.
There are benefits in practising either of the two, but I think it is better to focus on 1 or 2 things and know a little about everything. This way you will leverage in different environments in case of unseen circumstances.
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