Magic of being a Specialist
Tags: career, startup
Published: 2019-12-22 04:37:19

# Introduction
![undraw stand out 1oag][1]

When I first started in looking to break into software development and startup scene. 

I knew [Django][2] should be part of my skillsets during a conversation with a friend. 

He had built a team of 10 developers to maintain & scale an art marketplace startup. 

He even told me that his team handles the work that is equal to **30** or **40** developers with other technologies in other similar startups.

Therefore **Django** had always given me the impression if you know it. 

You can be a [force multiplier][3], which allows you to command a **higher salary** due to the **scarcity** of the skills & job for it.

# Charging as a Specialist vs a Generalist
![undraw thought process 67my][4]

One of the important concept that was taught by my sales trainer [Aaron Sansoni][5].

It was the [A.R.T ][6] methodology:

* Authority - **Authority** & **expertise** in your niche who stands out among the crowd to seek out your skills or knowledge because they can trust you

* Result & Proof - To show your potential employers & customers with proof & testimonials that what you say works for them.

* Trust - Trust is gained from **authenticity** of yourself & sharing your **story** about yourself to others.

My sales trainer gave me this example of the difference between a **specialist** and a **generalist**. 

As a generalist, You will be the one who **chase** for clients, projects or employers. 

Your skills & knowledge are just a **commodity** to the **marketplace**.  

Which can be brought from **almost everywhere** and usually it will be a race to the **bottom** due to this nature of being a **generalist**.

As a specialist, You will be one who is **chased** by your clients or employers. 

Due to your **skillsets**, **experience** & **knowledge** in a particular **niche**. 

You get to command a **higher salary** or **project value** with a **higher success rate** to **seal** the deal. 

Due to your time & effort by investing in **marketing** and being a **specialist** for your **niche**.

# Being a T Shape 
![undraw personal goals edgd][7]

The concept of a [T shape specialist][8] was only known to me through my mentor **Kenny**.

When he read a book by **Reid Hoffman** called [The Startup of You][9].

He told me to become a person who has a one or multiple **deep knowledge** of a particular domain.

Besides gain a **wide** array of knowledge & skills that compliment you.

Usually, for great companies and organisations, they will look for people with the traits of [skill stack][10].

To **design**, **create**, **market**, **sell** product or services for them. 

Due to your ability to **understand** and **empathise** their clients & industry. 

Without being **pinhole** to a **particular perspective** or way of **thinking**. 

As the saying goes, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail". 

So please don't be **one-trick** pony especially as a developer. 

I look for ways to become better in my craft besides being a specialist. 

I search for knowledge and skills like design, design patterns, soft skills, new technologies that I could dive deep into it.

# Building your Tribe
![undraw spread love r9jb][11]

When you become a **specialist**. You need to build your tribe of **raving fans** that spreads your message.

Without this group of **raving fans** who **knows** what you do and is **attracted** to your message, mindset, knowledge, personality or skills.

It will be hard for any prospective **employer** or **customer** to find you. 

Besides just **Googling** about you might be one of their last resort take when trying to find out for things in a particular niche.

Seek to create a tribe of [1,000 true fans][12] through your youtube, blog or podcast.

Learn to **stand** on something that you **believe** in and always seek to provide **value** to create a **ripple effect** in your articles, actions and message. 

I help out in [JuniorDev SG][13], [Python User Group Singapore][14] & [Code in the Community][15] is because of the values of what they stand by.

Which is to create a conducive environment for developers to **learn**, **grow** & **thrive** as a developer in both developer community & startup ecosystem in Singapore.

# Conclusion
![undraw observations mejb][16]

I hope this article will be useful for developers who are seeking to become a **specialist** for their niche and tips for building your tribe.

I know I had written about an article about being a **generalist** as a developer called [Why Be a Full Stack Developer][17].

It does not change my perspective of [talent stacking][10]. 

By **attracting** the **right** kind of opportunities from potential employers & customers.

I even had the **privilege** to invited by some companies who reach out to me. 

To provide **insights** & **feedback** into the products they had created for the community or the niche that I'm in.

If you like this article **sign up** for my [Adventurer's Newsletter](https://maxongzb.activehosted.com/f/1) for a weekly update in the area of **Python**, **Startup** and **Web Development**.

You can also **follow** me to get the **latest** update of my article on **Dev**


The original post was on [Magic of being a Specialist - Reading Time: 4 Mins](https://www.maxongzb.com/magic-of-being-a-specialist-reading-time-4-mins/) and cover image by [Photo by Eddy Klaus on Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/BHNxfaeNCTI)

# Reference
* [Django][2]
* [Force multiplier][3]
* [Aaron Sansoni][5]
* [What is the A.R.T of Sales][6]
* [Why T-shaped People][8]
* [The Startup of You][9]
* [Skill Stack][10]
* [1,000 true fans][12]
* [JuniorDev SG][13]
* [Python User Group Singapore][14] 
* [Code in the Community][15]
* [Why Be a Full Stack Developer][17]
* [DON'T Start An Online Business Without Knowing THIS | Personal Brand VS Business Brand][18]
* [Soft Skills: The software developer's life manual by John Sommez][19]
* [Crushing It by Gary Vaynerchuck][20]
* [Undraw][21]


[1]: //images.ctfassets.net/ly2f59p4unnn/EcpuSa3URJJmzoSKXbySj/f570b0b7ff292d568b7f99dad90ae7a9/undraw_stand_out_1oag.png
[2]: https://www.djangoproject.com/
[3]: https://personalmba.com/force-multiplier/
[4]: //images.ctfassets.net/ly2f59p4unnn/3N2HTcEuc9oWxRQYBwkccN/c7345184da2b6070985385adf618c24c/undraw_thought_process_67my.png
[5]: https://aaronsansoni.com/
[6]: https://youtu.be/AXmrn9QRCgs
[7]: //images.ctfassets.net/ly2f59p4unnn/2POSwCqDB2XctxLPTuGlyP/cd9bd5b6f48db2f204822a267ca7901c/undraw_personal_goals_edgd.png
[8]: https://medium.com/@jchyip/why-t-shaped-people-e8706198e437
[9]: https://www.amazon.com/Start-up-You-Future-Yourself-Transform/dp/0307888908
[10]: https://personalexcellence.co/blog/talent-stack/
[11]: //images.ctfassets.net/ly2f59p4unnn/2IVfqgudkFulnFWfjwELZO/c30918832e9fce8854c1955cbf164bf4/undraw_spread_love_r9jb.png
[12]: https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/
[13]: https://www.meetup.com/Junior-Developers-Singapore/
[14]: http://pugs.org.sg/
[15]: https://www.saturdaykids.com/social-mission/code-in-the-community/
[16]: //images.ctfassets.net/ly2f59p4unnn/5GKGN62yfKVO7qL8FVwdxp/8c4fb29d4fd4a444de8fd749d97fff30/undraw_observations_mejb.png
[17]: https://www.maxongzb.com/why-be-a-full-stack-developer-reading-time-3-mins/
[18]: https://youtu.be/P0vPIHwgj6A
[19]: https://www.amazon.com/Soft-Skills-software-developers-manual/dp/1617292397/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=soft+skills+developer&qid=1576902497&s=books&sr=1-1
[20]: https://www.amazon.com/Crushing-Great-Entrepreneurs-Business-Influence/dp/0062674676
[21]: https://undraw.co/illustrations