Giving Compass' Take:
- The Bridgespan Group explores how generalists help nonprofits adapt to uncertainty and complexity, showing why nonprofits should intentionally hire them alongside specialists.
- How might the nonprofit sector more effectively support generalists in developing their skills to solve the complex problems currently facing the sector?
- Search for a nonprofit focused on quality employment.
- Access more nonprofit data, advanced filters, and comparison tools when you upgrade to Giving Compass Pro.
What is Giving Compass?
We connect donors to learning resources and ways to support community-led solutions. Learn more about us.
Today, the nonprofit work environment is defined by uncertainty and complexity, demanding constant adaptation. Organizations face technological shifts such as AI, climate and geopolitical uncertainty, and leadership transitions, while demand for their services is rising and the funding landscape is narrowing.
Sounds like they could use some specialized help, right? Maybe not.
“It is exactly the time we are in that needs generalists,” says Siobhán O’Riordan, a seasoned social sector professional with experience at the National Park Foundation and the Council on Foundations. “Generalists embrace ambiguity by getting curious and creative in solving problems, allowing for adaptability and discernment during times of change.”
Seven years ago, O’Riordan had a conversation that would change her perspective on her career. During a heart-to-heart about her non-linear career path, a colleague said, “You know, you’re a generalist.”
“I didn’t really know what that was at the time,” O’Riordan admits. But as they continued conversations on the topic, it made more and more sense. “It was the first time that I really felt seen and recognized,” she says. The conversations inspired a LinkedIn post that went “kind of viral” and led to her new book, Reframe: How Generalists Thrive in a Changing World.
O’Riordan credits a 2016 Bridgespan article about generalists and their value to an organization, written by Sue Dahling Sullivan, then Citi Performing Arts’ chief of staff. “Sue’s column and David Epstein’s best-selling book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World put them on the map as essential players during times of change,” says O’Riordan.
Generalists are gaining traction in nonprofits, particularly in roles such as chief of staff and chief operating officer. But it’s still unclear how they advance within their organizations and when organizations need them most.
We interviewed O’Riordan to explore what it means to be a generalist, how they can help nonprofits thrive in uncertain times, and why the topic still feels so relevant.
Read the full article about the value of generalists to nonprofits at The Bridgespan Group.