Have you been searching for a supply chain professional who can effortlessly understand complex systems? Unfortunately, more often than not, we are trapped with extremes – those who know nothing about everything, and those who know everything…about nothing.
On a two-dimensional canvas of knowledge breadth and depth, there exist dash-shaped generalists, the 'jack of all trades' but 'experts of none.’ They might be great teammates for pub trivia, but suffice to say, they are not your go-to for supply chain problem-solving. Rather, they perform rote planning functions that should already be automated.
Conversely, we have I-shaped individuals, specialists who excel in a single domain but struggle to see the big picture. Outside of a narrow spectrum of circumstances, their value is limited. This guy knows your advanced planning system inside and out, but is limited to routine setups and troubleshooting rather than advancing the business forward.
The traditional ideal is a T-shaped person, a generalist with deep expertise in a specific area. But why settle for a T when you can have an M-shaped person with expertise in multiple domains? These individuals see the system beautifully. In ecology, value emerges at the edge where different habitats meet. Similarly, those who bridge the boundaries of adjacent workplace worlds create value in the enterprise. Be it the supply chain planner who also ‘speaks finance’ or the salesperson who understands supply chain, you want the M-shaped person on your team.
Further, our modern workforce demands individuals who can harness the rapid acceleration in technology. This is especially true in supply chain where structured data and broad effectiveness put it at the forefront of advancements. The invention of the automobile did not magically convert the population to capable drivers. Instead, each technological leap presents a new learning opportunity, and as globalization develops, lifelong learning becomes imperative.
As technology evolves exponentially, the supply chain, with its structured data and broad effectiveness, is at the forefront of technological advancements. However, the continuous progress in technology demands a commitment to lifelong learning. The days of a one-time education to prepare for a career are gone; instead, education and work should be intertwined like the double-helix of DNA.
The pursuit of M-shaped knowledge and continuous progress in technology demand intellectual curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. The days of a one-time education to prepare for a career are gone; instead, education and work should be intertwined like the double-helix of DNA. The old adage, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day; teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime," resonates in today's world. Education is not a phase to endure; it is a lifelong journey. To scale knowledge, we must embrace education as the sustainable path forward and make time for it in our ongoing lives.
