What’s Better? Generalist vs Specialist Consulting

Originally published July 26, 2016 , updated on February 16, 2026

Published Date: The date when the blog went live on GL website.Updated Date: The latest date when the GL Content team updated this blog.

For quite some time, a generalist approach to consulting was the order of the day. With a few of the head honchos in the industry, like McKinsey and KPMG, adopting this traditional approach only seems fair to wonder if things will stay the same or if any changes are afoot. So is specialist consulting becoming more popular, or will the generalists continue to monopolize the field?
The idea of a consultant who is somewhat of a ‘jack of all trades’ may have been appealing in the past. But the overwhelming growth of the industry over the last few decades has shed light on some interesting changes. Large firms and corporations are leaning towards specialized input more and more. Consulting firms are finding themselves having to make some serious changes to their consulting career model. They do it to keep up with the technological advancements going on around them.

Consulting firms tend to expect generalist consultants to work on specializing in a particular field. That should happen within a maximum of three years of joining the firm.

Junior consultants should be proactive in managing their careers. It is up to the individual consultant to guide their career in the direction of their specialty. Otherwise, they will be forced into a position they aren’t passionate about. So it is important to take on as many assignments in your preferred field early on in your career. This way you cement yourself as the expert first within your firm and then within the industry at large.