expertise: the compass for the age of change
expertise: the compass for the age of change
In a world of constant change, expertise is the steady hand that turns possibility into progress.
In a world of constant change, expertise is the steady hand that turns possibility into progress.
August 10, 2025
Over the years, I’ve watched design and strategy careers bend and sway with the trends. One year it’s all about the Specialist—the deep diver who knows one craft inside out. Then it swings to the Generalist—the versatile “jack of all trades.” Both have their place, but I think we overlook one role that quietly powers the best work: the Expert.
Now, the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” gets thrown around a lot. But here’s the truth: if you’ve practiced across disciplines long enough, and you’ve pushed beyond dabbling into real depth, you’re not just juggling skills—you’re building expertise. And expertise is what carries you through the messy, high-stakes work where checklists and job titles fall short.
With AI stepping onto the stage, you’ll hear plenty of calls for generalists who can “orchestrate” tools. That has value, but let’s be honest: pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem. Expertise is what makes the difference. An expert knows the context, the tradeoffs, and the human factors that no algorithm can see. AI can amplify your skill, but it can’t replace the judgment you’ve earned through hard practice and harder lessons.
…pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem.
And that’s really the point: in a world of rapid tooling and endless options, the edge isn’t in who can spin up the most outputs. It’s in who can craft a strategy, cut through the noise, and shape outcomes that matter for both people and business. That’s what experts do. They translate ambiguity into clarity, risks into bets worth taking, and ideas into something real.
If you’re growing your career—or building a team—don’t just chase breadth for its own sake. Go deep. Learn the systems behind the craft. Practice making judgment calls where the stakes are real. And don’t be afraid of failure—it’s one of the fastest ways expertise gets built. Tools will come and go, but expertise compounds. It makes you not only valuable today, but adaptable tomorrow.
Here’s what I tell the designers I mentor: curiosity will take you wide, but discipline will take you deep. When you cultivate both, you’re not just adapting to change—you’re steering it.
Over the years, I’ve watched design and strategy careers bend and sway with the trends. One year it’s all about the Specialist—the deep diver who knows one craft inside out. Then it swings to the Generalist—the versatile “jack of all trades.” Both have their place, but I think we overlook one role that quietly powers the best work: the Expert.
Now, the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” gets thrown around a lot. But here’s the truth: if you’ve practiced across disciplines long enough, and you’ve pushed beyond dabbling into real depth, you’re not just juggling skills—you’re building expertise. And expertise is what carries you through the messy, high-stakes work where checklists and job titles fall short.
With AI stepping onto the stage, you’ll hear plenty of calls for generalists who can “orchestrate” tools. That has value, but let’s be honest: pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem. Expertise is what makes the difference. An expert knows the context, the tradeoffs, and the human factors that no algorithm can see. AI can amplify your skill, but it can’t replace the judgment you’ve earned through hard practice and harder lessons.
…pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem.
And that’s really the point: in a world of rapid tooling and endless options, the edge isn’t in who can spin up the most outputs. It’s in who can craft a strategy, cut through the noise, and shape outcomes that matter for both people and business. That’s what experts do. They translate ambiguity into clarity, risks into bets worth taking, and ideas into something real.
If you’re growing your career—or building a team—don’t just chase breadth for its own sake. Go deep. Learn the systems behind the craft. Practice making judgment calls where the stakes are real. And don’t be afraid of failure—it’s one of the fastest ways expertise gets built. Tools will come and go, but expertise compounds. It makes you not only valuable today, but adaptable tomorrow.
Here’s what I tell the designers I mentor: curiosity will take you wide, but discipline will take you deep. When you cultivate both, you’re not just adapting to change—you’re steering it.
Over the years, I’ve watched design and strategy careers bend and sway with the trends. One year it’s all about the Specialist—the deep diver who knows one craft inside out. Then it swings to the Generalist—the versatile “jack of all trades.” Both have their place, but I think we overlook one role that quietly powers the best work: the Expert.
Now, the phrase “jack of all trades, master of none” gets thrown around a lot. But here’s the truth: if you’ve practiced across disciplines long enough, and you’ve pushed beyond dabbling into real depth, you’re not just juggling skills—you’re building expertise. And expertise is what carries you through the messy, high-stakes work where checklists and job titles fall short.
With AI stepping onto the stage, you’ll hear plenty of calls for generalists who can “orchestrate” tools. That has value, but let’s be honest: pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem. Expertise is what makes the difference. An expert knows the context, the tradeoffs, and the human factors that no algorithm can see. AI can amplify your skill, but it can’t replace the judgment you’ve earned through hard practice and harder lessons.
…pushing the right buttons isn’t the same as solving the right problem.
And that’s really the point: in a world of rapid tooling and endless options, the edge isn’t in who can spin up the most outputs. It’s in who can craft a strategy, cut through the noise, and shape outcomes that matter for both people and business. That’s what experts do. They translate ambiguity into clarity, risks into bets worth taking, and ideas into something real.
If you’re growing your career—or building a team—don’t just chase breadth for its own sake. Go deep. Learn the systems behind the craft. Practice making judgment calls where the stakes are real. And don’t be afraid of failure—it’s one of the fastest ways expertise gets built. Tools will come and go, but expertise compounds. It makes you not only valuable today, but adaptable tomorrow.
Here’s what I tell the designers I mentor: curiosity will take you wide, but discipline will take you deep. When you cultivate both, you’re not just adapting to change—you’re steering it.
Strategy in Practice
Case studies that connect design decisions to measurable outcomes.
Strategy in Practice
Case studies that connect design decisions to measurable outcomes.
Strategy in Practice
Case studies that connect design decisions to measurable outcomes.