[anaerobicover]

I've heard the "fox plus hedgehog" idea before, as having a "T-shaped skill set". You have a familiarity with a range of related topics (this is the cap of the T) and deep understanding of a few things (the stem of the T). The premise is that this means you provide valuable expertise (for the deep part). But the breadth of basic knowledge means you are also able to collaborate and delegate well.

I've found that having other languages than my workaday ones in my repertoire is a valuable part of the cap of the T -- although it's certainly not the only kind of thing that should be there.

[ropp]

Also learning a new language, that is in some way related to the stuff you already know, is way less of a time comittment.