Mastering the Mix: How to Combine Skills for Success

From Specialist to Polymath. The Rise of the M-Shaped Employee

The workplace has long celebrated the T-shaped employee — someone with deep expertise in one area and broad skills across related fields. But as work becomes more interconnected and complex, the future belongs to the M-shaped employee. This is someone who possesses multiple areas of deep expertise, seamlessly integrating and applying them across diverse contexts. However, with thousands of courses available, deciding which skills to pursue can feel overwhelming. Enter the color wheel, a surprisingly effective tool for guiding your skills development journey.

Using the Color Wheel to Build Your Skillset

The color wheel offers a visual framework for selecting skills that complement, contrast, and enhance one another. Just as artists and designers use it to create harmony or dynamic contrast, you can apply its principles to strategically build your skills.

1. Start with your primary skills (your “core color”)

Primary colors — red, yellow, and blue — are the foundation for all other colors. Similarly, your core skills form the base of your professional identity. For example, if you’re a…