renaissance man – Chloe J Sayers

I recently heard this quote in the context of leadership development. It is the mantra of StrengthsQuest, an asset-based personality test. As a two time veteran of the test and the training program, I appreciate the sentiment. And I’ve largely followed that advice in my own life. I fine tune what I’m already good at, and ignore the parts of me that I have deemed hopeless.

But hearing the strengths leadership methodology stated so simply made me think. Have we killed the Renaissance Man? Is the world so specialized now that there is no value in being decently good at everything?

I’ve been told to be a T person. Choose one thing to excel in and stay shallow in other skills. It is the hallmark of the marketable college grad and the individualized American.

What do you think? Is the focus on strengths to the exclusion of areas of development destroying the well-rounded person? Comment below and share your thoughts!