“Good Power” book by Ginni Rometty, former Chairman and CEO of IBM

In her enlightening book “Good Power”, former Chairman and CEO of IBM, Ginni Rometty, reveals a crucial lesson she learned early in her illustrious career: the importance of becoming a T-shaped professional. This entails cultivating both breadth and depth of knowledge in a specific area while simultaneously developing expertise in other domains. By immersing herself in computing technology while honing her communication and sales skills, Rometty established a robust foundation for success. The book contains numerous exceptional insights that I eagerly anticipate sharing in a subsequent post.

A T-shaped employee embodies a remarkable skill set and comprehensive knowledge across various fields, coupled with profound expertise in a particular domain. The horizontal line of the T signifies their extensive skills and broad knowledge, while the vertical line represents their profound expertise in a specific field. These invaluable employees are highly regarded for their ability to collaborate effectively across teams and departments, as well as their capacity for critical and creative thinking.

Conversely, a V-shaped employee possesses exceptional proficiency in a specific field or skill set but may lack broad knowledge in other areas. The V-shape symbolizes their narrow but deep expertise in a particular domain. These employees are esteemed for their capability to solve intricate problems and provide specialized knowledge to projects.

It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether a T-shaped or V-shaped employee is superior. The optimal choice depends on the organization’s needs and the specific role at hand.

To all those embarking on their professional journey or currently in the early stages of their careers, I urge you to delve into the “What” and “Why” aspects of problems, not merely the “How.” If you belong to a data team, strive to comprehend how the data is utilized and expand your knowledge beyond your immediate stakeholders to encompass the broader goals of the organization. Recognize the impact of other functions on decision-making processes. While prioritizing your day-to-day responsibilities is important, acquiring knowledge beyond the scope of your job is equally essential. This can only be achieved through discipline and effective time management. In my upcoming post, I will delve into the concept of “What’s your equation.”