Multipotentiality: Why Be One Thing When You Can Be Everything?
Why the future belongs to multipotentialites - Newsletter 12
We’re back for a new issue, this time on the subject of multipotentiality and why atypical multipotentialites might be the future rockstars of the business world. Hope you enjoy it!
When I was younger, my dreams were all over the place. One day, I wanted to be a singer; the next, a fashion designer, then a writer, and even the President of the French Republic. (Big leap, I know.) By high school, the world started asking for more clarity: What degree will you pursue? What do you want to be? At the time, those questions felt monumental. The truth? I had no idea.
I wasn’t alone, but I couldn’t help noticing how some of my classmates seemed to know exactly what they wanted. Take Mary, for example. In French class, we were filling out forms about our future careers. I have zero memory of what I wrote, but I’ll never forget Mary’s response: social worker. She said it with such clarity, even though we weren’t particularly close, it stuck with me.
Years later, scrolling through social media, I stumbled upon a comment from Mary. And sure enough, there it was: her name, followed by her job title—Social Worker.
That moment sparked a wave of introspection. Why didn’t I have that clarity now as an adult Mary had at 16? Why do some people seem to find their “purpose” so early, while others spend years—sometimes decades—searching?
But here’s the bigger question: What even is purpose?
Understanding the True Power of Your Uniqueness as a Multipotentialite
In my case, purpose felt less like a clear calling and more like a constant state of exploration. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I did know one thing: I wanted to become a “Swiss Army knife” of skills (a phrase that sounds much better in French, I promise).
This mindset led me to try a little bit of everything. I started a fashion project, joined a women’s soccer team (even though I’d never played before), and took up dance classes—despite how much they had intimidated me in the past. Stepping in the unknown was terrifying. But it also was liberating as I started thriving pursuing many different interests at the same time. That, without feeling the pressure of identifying my one thing.
And that’s when it hit me: that was my thing. Everything was potentially my thing.
I didn’t have to find and stick to one thing. My purpose by definition was to be me, and to embrace my uniqueness through what I do. Not the other way around. The pressure to identify a career or passion that would define me was gone.
A few research then helped me understand a bit more about multipotentiality, opening a whole new world of possibilities. And the goal today, is for those of you that relate to realize how you can make your multipotentiality your very own superpower.
So, What Is a Multipotentialite?
A multipotentialite is someone with many interests and creative pursuits.
It stems from the word multipotentiality–a psychological and educational term used to describe people who display aptitudes across multiple disciplines.- Emily Wapnick, Puttylike
Multipotentialites are people with diverse passions, interests, and skills. They’re often seen as “jack-of-all-trades” types, but the term doesn’t do justice to the creativity, adaptability, and curiosity that defines them. Instead of pursuing one specific calling, they jump from interest to interest, constantly learning, growing, and connecting the dots in unique ways.
Does this sound like you so far? Here are a few signs you might be a multipotentialite:
1. You get bored easily - You dive into challenges but lose interest once you’ve learned enough.
2. You’re endlessly curious (lifelong learner) - People often remark on how much you know about wildly different topics.
3. You’re a “skill collector” - You’ve built a versatile skill toolkit you can apply in almost any context.
4. You think big - You’re a natural at seeing the big picture and crafting long-term strategies.
5. You connect the dots - You excel at finding patterns and blending ideas in creative ways.
6. You are a visionnary - Your gut often guides you toward innovative ideas and disruptive solutions.
7. You have a strong sense of empathy - Empathy comes naturally, and you’re great at putting yourself in others’ shoes.
8. People struggle to understand you - Your way of thinking might feel unconventional to those with more linear mindsets.
9. You face decision paralysis - With so many interests, choosing just one path can feel overwhelming.
10. You love ideas more than execution - Just me? Okay.
Why Multipotentiality Matters Today
In a world that prizes hyper-specialization, being a multipotentialite might seem like a disadvantage. The industrial revolution’s emphasis on efficiency and expertise created a culture that celebrates “experts” in every field: SEO experts, HR experts, marketing experts…And while expertise has its place, the future of work demands something different. For the shifts happening now, and those yet to come.
As AI continues to automate specialized tasks, creativity, adaptability, and divergent thinking, core traits of multipotentialites are becoming increasingly valuable. The ability to synthesize ideas, connect seemingly unrelated concepts, and innovate in a disruptive manner will be the currency of the future.
Embracing Your Multipotentiality
For years, I struggled to reconcile my academic interests with my creative ambitions. I thought I had to choose—to define myself by a single title or skillset. But the beauty of being multipotential is that you don’t have to fit into a box.
Instead of asking, “What career should I choose?” start asking, “How can I use my unique combination of skills and interests to make an impact?”
Ultimately, it’s not about choosing one career path but about leveraging your diverse talents to thrive in an ever-changing world. Multipotentiality isn’t a weakness—it’s a superpower giving you a heads up in a labour organization where specialists and experts will struggle to adapt.
So again, why be one thing when you can be everything?
If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you see yourself as a multipotentialite? And if you’d like another issue exploring how to leverage your multipotential identity in your career and life, let me know—I’m here for it!
I lived for a year in France after I graduated high school and with a girl who was finishing her bac. She knew that she wanted to become a doctor and live in Montpellier, have a golden retriever, 2 kids and husband. 20+ years later she is living that life exactly.
I never had that clarity either. I love the way you said maybe everything is my my thing ✨.
Thank you for your comment Carly! We definitely all have a Mary around us, and I love that they’re going after what they know they want.
In the meantime, let’s keep going after everything 🙌🏽