THE 3 GREAT STRENGTHS OF A 'HYBRID' AT WORK

Els Kolster
Apr 10, 2018
3 min read

FORGET THE HYBRID CAR- IT'S ALL ABOUT THE HYBRID HUMAN. DRIVING THE FUTURE FORWARD.

The question ‘What would you like to be when you grow up?’ was not an easy one for me, as a kid but also as an adult I still struggle. I’ve attended several different education systems and schools that I thought would fit me best but I came to a point where I felt stuck and disinterested in the subject. After three different study attempts I started to worry about not finding my true profession, to be able to finish one study, graduate from this and be successful in that one job for the rest of my life. I envied the people who knew from the day they were born, what they would become and actually achieve being a specialist in their field.

The problem I faced is that I found myself being passionate about multiple subjects and I just couldn’t find the perfect balance in my job because I could not pursue specialising in one particular subject or area. To give you an idea: I worked on engineering projects, from managing finances and payrolls to marketing and running events. It was hard for me to grow within a company or find a new job because I was not specialised enough and that made me feel like a failure and regularly misunderstood by others.

MULTIPLE POTENTIAL AKA HYBRIDS

Now, being self employed, I realise how valuable it has been for me to be so diverse and having knowledge in different fields and that companies should now start to recognise this too. It helped me to build a business around my passion by using the skills I have developed through all the jobs I ‘failed’ to stick with. To be familiar and feel comfortable in new and different areas of work is the power of being a ‘multiple potential’. Multiple potentials or as I would call it “hybrids” are artisticly curious, to excel in two or more different fields. Similar to a hybrid, just like the car, they have two or more distinct types of power. In this case your personal power and your broad skillset. This helps the ‘hybrid’ to have the drive to learn and be exposed to and embrace new things.

THE 3 STRENGTHS OF A HYBRID

In the last few decades the economic world has changed so fast and unpredictably that in order for companies to thrive they not only need people who are experts in their field, but people that can jump into any given situation and deliver excellent work. Those are the Hybrids, They have 3 distinct strengths that makes them almost indispensable for any company wanting to thrive:

1. FORMULA OF CREATIVE & UNIQUE IDEAS

Through the diverse experiences and knowledge in different fields, Hybrids easily combine several ideas that could be the best solution for one unique challenge.

2. EASY TO PICK UP OR QUICK LEARNER

Hybrids strength is their curiosity of learning something new and find a solution. This is something that excites them and stimulate them.

3. ADAPTABILITY

According to fast company magazine; ‘Adaptability is the single most important skill to develop in order to thrive in the 21st century. The ability to transform. Feeling comfortable in any given situation and can take on various roles.’

IF YOU ARE JUST LIKE ME, A HYBRID

Feel empowered and understand that it’s a strength that you have. Embrace these talents you have and seek for new ones! Stay curious and passionate in each and every new subject. All that matters is that you use the best of them at work and beyond.