Most Companies Say They Want Versatile Talent. But Would They Recognize It?
Companies love to talk about innovation, adaptability, and agility. They want people who think beyond their roles, solve problems creatively, and bring different teams together.
Yet, when those exact professionals show up in interviews, here’s what happens:
- Their résumés look “too broad”.
- They don’t fit a "standard job description".
- They don’t come from the "right" background.
And just like that, the best talent walks out the door.
"The best hire you'll ever make is probably someone you would have rejected five years ago."
Why? Because most companies hire for the problems they have today, not for the challenges that are coming next.
And that’s where Versatilist professionals come in—people who don’t just solve problems. They build what’s next.
But if you don’t know what to look for, you’ll never find them. So, let’s fix that.
How to Recognize T-Shaped Professional
A T-shaped professional has deep expertise in one field but also broad knowledge across multiple disciplines.
Think of them as a specialist who can speak multiple “languages” across teams.
How to Spot Them in Their Experience:
- They have mastered one discipline—whether it’s marketing, coding, finance, or design.
- They have worked across teams and departments, not just in their own bubble.
- They might have changed industries, but they bring value everywhere they go.
How They Show Up at Work:
- They act as a translator between departments, making it easier for different teams to collaborate.
- They step outside their job description because they see the bigger picture.
- They can simplify complex topics, making even technical ideas easy to understand.
Example That Breaks Expectations:
A backend software engineer who actively joins marketing meetings—not because they have to, but because they understand how backend data impacts customer experience.
"T-shaped professionals don’t just work in their field. They connect fields."
How to Spot π-Shaped Professionals
A π-shaped professional has deep expertise in two fields, plus a broad understanding of many others.
They are masters of two worlds—which makes them powerful problem-solvers.
How to Spot Them in Their Experience:
- They don’t just dabble in two fields—they have real expertise in both.
- Their past roles required them to merge two disciplines—like finance and technology, or design and psychology.
- Their career might look nonlinear, but every move they made added value.
How They Show Up at Work:
- They jump between two complex topics effortlessly.
- They combine ideas from different fields to create something new.
- When two teams can’t understand each other, they are the bridge that connects them.
Example That Breaks Expectations:
A data scientist with a journalism background—not because they left journalism, but because they use storytelling to make data insights clear and actionable.
"π-shaped professionals don’t just bridge two fields. They innovate at the intersection."
How to Spot M-Shaped Professionals
An M-shaped professional has deep expertise in multiple fields, plus a broad understanding of even more.
They don’t just connect the dots—they see patterns, predict trends, and build entire systems.
How to Spot Them in Their Experience:
- Their career doesn’t follow a straight line, yet they have made a big impact in every role.
- They have led in multiple areas, such as strategy, product development, operations, and finance.
- They are often the ones starting new initiatives, leading change, or launching businesses.
How They Show Up at Work:
- They can switch between strategy and execution effortlessly.
- They challenge outdated thinking because they’ve seen industries evolve.
- They don’t just thrive in uncertainty—they create environments where others can thrive, too.
Example That Breaks Expectations:
A former tattoo artist who became a top UX designer—because tattooing taught them precision, human psychology, and storytelling, skills that make them exceptional at designing user experiences.
"M-shaped professionals don’t just lead teams. They build entire ecosystems."
How to Spot These Professionals Without Fancy Tests
You don’t need personality tests or algorithms to find these people. Just look at how they work and how others react to them.
Ask yourself:
- Who do people naturally go to for insights beyond their job title?
- Who has worked across multiple disciplines and succeeded?
- Who can think like a specialist but communicate like a generalist?
- Who adapts faster than anyone else when things change?
- Who creates more value than their job description suggests?
Many Hiring Systems Are Built to Miss These People
That candidate you dismissed because
their résumé was "too broad"?
That person who seemed "overqualified"?
That applicant whose career path didn’t follow a straight line?
They’re not waiting for you to call them back.
They’re already building something better than what you’re working on.
"The best hire you never made? They just became your competition."
Specialization Alone Isn’t Enough
If your hiring process rewards predictability over adaptability, don’t expect to find the people who create breakthroughs.
Most companies hire for problems that
already exist.
The smartest companies hire for the challenges that are coming next.
T, π, and M-shaped professionals? They don’t
just solve today’s problems. They build what’s next. They are the
professionals who will future-proof your company.
