Praise for The Generalist Advantage
"A compelling case for why organizations should value breadth over depth. The Generalist Advantage by Dr. Mansoor is a masterclass in leadership! If you want to future-proof your career in the age of AI, this book is your ultimate guide."
-Dominic Carter
Executive Vice President, The Sun
"Forget being a specialist! It's time to embrace your inner 'renaissance person.' We've long celebrated specialists, but with this book, Mansoor has redefined what expertise really looks like. A super-interesting read!"
-Dorie Clark
Executive Education Faculty, Columbia Business School, and Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The Long Game
"Refreshing and original.Many people believe that specialization is key to success, when the opposite is true. Dr Mansoor's years of research and experience make him the perfect guide for navigating the world of generalist leadership."
-Bjorn Billhardt
CEO, Abilitie (a global leadership development firm), and coauthor of The 12 Week MBA
"I cherish this book because it puts words on the life I have lived. Mansoor not only validates being a generalist (why) and frames types of generalists (what), but also suggests skills and actions to be an effective generalist (how)."
-Dave Ulrich
Rensis Likert Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and Partner, The RBL Group
"Every chapter pushes you to rethink your approach to leading and scaling an organization, leveraging the generalist mindset. An insightful 2×2 matrix categorizes four types of generalists that we often see at work: shallow, domain, skill, and ultra generalists. It is a must-have for every leader's bookshelf."
-Rob Cross
Senior Vice President of Research, Institute for Corporate Productivity, Professor of Global Leadership, Babson College, and coauthor of The Microstress Effect
"As a former professional international rugby player, I've seen firsthand the importance of having a diverse range of skills. Mansoor Soomro's The Generalist Advantage provides a powerful framework for understanding the benefits of generalism in both sports and business."
-Rory Underwood
MBE DL, England Rugby's Record International Try Scorer, Royal Air Force (RAF) Fast Jet Pilot, and Founder/CEO of Wingman
"Dr. Mansoor Soomro delivers a masterful guide to navigating the complexities of modern leadership. His deep research and compelling case studies offer a powerful framework for embracing versatility in the AI era. This book is an essential read for any leader looking to develop a generalist mindset."
-Dr. Marshall Goldsmith
Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There
"In a world where organizations are experiencing unprecedented change, Professor Soomro lucidly illustrates the importance and advantage of being a generalist. Chock-full of engaging examples, this book is a must-read for us to stay relevant."
-Hatim A. Rahman
Associate Professor, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and author of Inside the Invisible Cage: How Algorithms Control Workers
"By applying the Generalist Quotient assessment, HR and L&D executives can play a more strategic role in driving organisational success. The framework of four types of generalists (shallow, domain, skill, and ultra generalist) at work can be readily integrated into training programs, helping teams drive peak performance."
-Jordan Workman
HR Business Partner, Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd.
"Mansoor Soomro has crafted a practical guide for leaders who want to excel in the future of work. The Generalist Advantage offers a clear road map, and it's a powerful resource for anyone ready to rethink the traditional path to success."
-Erin Meyer
Professor of Management Practice, INSEAD, New York Times bestselling author of The Culture Map, and coauthor of No Rules Rules
"Sick of feeling pigeonholed? It's time to embrace your generalist advantage. Dr. Mansoor is a remarkable researcher and a captivating keynote speaker who brings fresh perspectives to leadership and AI. His thought leadership is driving a new understanding of how organizations can thrive; this book is a testament to that."
-Jason Averbook
Senior Partner, Global Lead Digital Transformation, Mercer and Forbes Human Resources Council Member
"This fascinating book makes a powerful claim to rehabilitate the generalist. The author depicts the generalist as holding a portfolio of skills to address the changing nature of our environment. This is certainly an important consideration for managers who want to stay relevant in this context."
-Thomas Roulet
Chaired Professor of Organisational Sociology & Leadership, Judge Business School & King's College, University of Cambridge, and author of The Power of Being Divisive: Understanding Negative Social Evaluations
"As a military leader, I recognized the importance of having a diverse and adaptable team. Our people are our power. Mansoor Soomro's book TGA is a must-read for anyone looking to develop leadership in dynamic, high-pressure environments."
-Lieutenant Colonel Andy Black
Head of Army Engagement for North of England, Headquarters North, Ministry of Defence UK
"Mansoor Soomro's work is a valuable addition to the generalist/specialist debate and creates a useful framework for firms in transition, preparing themselves for a high-tech future."
-Yuri Bender
Editor-in-Chief, Professional Wealth Management, Financial Times
"Occasionally, dearly held beliefs need to be challenged. This is what Mansoor Soomro does when he suggests that generalists can outplay specialists in the age of AI. A compelling hypothesis!"
-Christian Stadler
Professor of Strategic Management, Warwick Business School, and coauthor of Open Strategy: Mastering Disruption from Outside the C-Suite
"Mansoor Soomro has written a game-changing book for business leaders. The Near Future Readiness Index (NFRI) mentioned in the book is a valuable resource for any organization looking to thrive in the 21st century."
-Justin Rix
Partner, People Advisory, Grant Thornton UK LLP
"In a world full of distractions, it's hard to lose sight of what is important, and what is coming next. This book is a practical guide to help leaders become more well rounded and ready for whatever the future throws at them!"
- Alex Whiteleather
L&D Strategist and Managing Director of Abilitie Europe
"As organizations reimagine their operating models in response to advances in remote work, artificial intelligence, and skills-based resourcing strategies, it will be more important than ever to have generalist leaders."
-Phil Kirschner
Founder and Principal Consultant, PK Consulting, and Ex-Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company
"Dr. Mansoor Soomro is knowledgeable, thoughtful, forward-thinking, and erudite in his approach. This book is remarkable, both in terms of hypothesis and implementation."
-Leo Ulph
Presenter, BBC
"Soomro makes us rethink the limitations and strengths of generalists by explaining how they spur innovation, bridge communication gaps, and make sense of complexity. Find out to what extent you are (or should be) a shallow, domain, skill, or ultra-oriented generalist."
-Ian P. McCarthy
W.J. VanDusen Professor of Innovation & Operations Management, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University
"The Generalist Advantage provides a compelling framework for unlocking the potential of generalists, especially in the AI-driven world. This book is a must for both leaders and organizations aiming to stay ahead of the curve."
-Paolo Aversa
Professor of Strategy, King's College London, and Associate Editor of Journal of Management Studies
"The Generalist Advantage is a game-changing book for our era of specialization. More than just informative, it's an inspiring manifesto for leaders who want to unleash their full potential and succeed in uncertain times."
-Des Dearlove
Cofounder, Thinkers50
"Very interesting read! Backed by extensive research and packed with actionable insights, The Generalist Advantage outlines models and theories that executives can leverage to maximize both individual and team productivity."
-Imran Saeed
Head of Treasury & Corporate Finance, Middle East & Africa, Siemens Energy LLC
"Captivating read! The Generalist Advantage book by Mansoor shows what it takes to rise above mediocrity and lead organizations that thrive and endure for the long haul....