Literacy in and ability to understand concepts across multiple disciplines.

Problems today are too complex to be solved by one specialized discipline. It takes multiple perspectives and skills from every discipline to solve crises like homelessness, global warming, and overpopulation. Throughout the 20th century, ever-greater specialization was encouraged, but now? There is an increase in transdisciplinary solutions such as nanotechnology, which blends molecular biology, biochemistry, protein chemistry, and other specialties.

When a number of people from different backgrounds work together on a problem, the effect is additive rather than integrative. However, blending knowledge and experience between disciplines has significant implications for the skill set that we need going forward. According to Howard Rheingold, a prominent forecaster and author, “transdisciplinarity goes beyond bringing together researchers from different disciplines to work in multidisciplinary teams. It means educating researchers who can speak languages of multiple disciplines—biologists who have an understanding of mathematics, mathematicians who understand biology.”

The work of the future has both breadth and depth—deep understanding of at least one field with the capacity to converse in the language of a broader range of disciplines. To achieve this blend in skills requires courage first. We cannot fear the unknown. Job retraining to help bridge the gap between what we do today, what will be taken over by machines, and how to manage that process going forward is needed. From there, it will require deep self-awareness of our core interests and motivations to problem-solve, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to go on learning far beyond the years of formal education. As extended lifespans promote multiple careers and exposure to more industries and disciplines, it will be particularly important for workers to develop multidisciplinary perspectives and expertise.

PRACTICE

Consider:

Of all the things you are interested in, what are two you are most interested in? (sports, art, travel, radio, law, medicine, numbers, film, etc.)
What do you enjoy doing most in the world? (sharing stories, teaching others, accomplishing goals, working independently, etc.)
Reflecting on your life and career, what kinds of problems have you returned to repeatedly? Why?
What is your depth-breadth combination that gives you a unique perspective on the kinds of problems you want to solve?

COMMIT

[ ] I commit myself to using the lens of different disciplines and perspectives to seek and find problems creatively.

Alongside technical skills, people who can master a range of subjective skills are better able to influence, deal with ambiguity, bounce back from setbacks, think creatively, and manage themselves successfully in their pursuit of mastery. Learn more about applying craft skills in the modern world.