Live Free 𝚘̶𝚛̶ ̶𝙳̶𝚒̶𝚎 → LIVE FREE AND THRIVE
"Live Free or Die" → the New Hampshire motto that is displayed on their license plates.
Last weekend I was speaking with a dear friend who lives in Dover, NH. She is often urging me to move, and no matter what, through her subtle hints about how great it would be, the NH motto is somehow always referenced, followed by a bit of laughter (or sarcasm) about the total polarization of the phrase. While my location or potential move (I'm really not moving anytime soon) isn't today’s focus, this conversation and mention of the NH motto inspired reflections on advice I often see being given to coaches and consultants, which is: “specialize or die.”
Alan Weiss, author of many best-selling coaching and consulting business books, challenges this notion, the need to specialize, as do I. I think we can all agree there are far less radical solutions to the “Live Free or Die” motto. But when it comes to being a generalist vs. a specialist, while opinions vary, they more often than not lean towards being a specialist. Why? Probably because expertise is quite simply, considered good. People pay for specializations. I know I want the best when I am paying someone for their services. But the best in what? And this is where my challenge regarding the advice to specialize comes in, because I think it's often misunderstood.
Here’s how I look at it. As a coach, I consider myself a specialist in general processes (…stay with me).
It’s the 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 vs. the 𝗵𝗼𝘄. The what, or the content, is the subject matter expertise. The how, or the process, refers to the way in which things are done and goals are achieved.
Another way to look at it is that content is localized and specific (ex: content of an insurance company is insurance, content of Netflix is streaming entertainment services). Processes however are consistent, and they cross industry, cultural, and content boundaries. These processes occur in every organization, relationship, or system, despite the content. The how always matters, despite the what. It's these processes that I help my clients with, that I specialize in. They include (to name a few):
• Decision-making
• Planning
• Communication
• Leadership Intelligences
• Strategy formulation
• Conflict resolution
• Problem solving
• Innovation
• Succession Planning
Of course, there are still content areas, or industries, in which I find myself working more often than others. They are those in which I have background, subject matter expertise, and personal connection. These include female leadership, building effective leadership teams through transitions, education (educators, administrators, and students), and the mental health and wellness sectors, areas that align closely with my own experiences and values. But make no mistake, my specialization is in processes, it is in the “how” we do things where sustainable success is realized.
A final thought: we've been told for decades to "put your own oxygen mask on first" and yet so many of us, especially women, seem to struggle with that. Perhaps it's because we often try to be content experts before knowing the process. Becoming an expert in the how is where the magic happens. That’s where we thrive as individuals, leaders, and teams.
So NH, whether I'm coming for you or not, maybe we can tone down the motto. Maybe when we really know the how, we can LIVE FREE AND THRIVE.
If you want help determining the how for you or your teams, let's talk.
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