I love parables. The simplicity in them – turning initial confusion, into absolute clarity – and then being able to apply the principle to your life in a way that does not drain you of energy and resources. There’s a reason Jesus used parables to teach the multitudes.
Today I want to talk about an ancient Greek parable that I have learned to understand and as such, truly appreciate – The Fox and The Hedgehog. To give you a synopsis of this parable, the fox tries dozens of ways to attack the hedgehog but the hedgehog is exceptional at one thing— protecting itself from the copious attacks of the fox. Now while this synopsis gives you the impression that the hedgehog is superior to the fox – and in some ways it is – I’d like to look a little deeper at the story and the fact that what it really does is highlight two different behaviour/thinking patterns.
First, let’s look at the fox, who has a more nuanced approach to life and situations that may arise. The fox is alright with having multiple approaches to a single problem, she may be better at analysing a situation and thinking on her feet when coming up with alternative strategies for the problems being faced. She is agile, malleable – a problem solver.
On the other hand the hedgehog is more of a big picture thinker, she is laser-focussed and deliberate in what needs to be done, and the way to go about it. Her priority is making sure she lives to see another day, and ultimately once she finds a strategy that works, the best plan is to stick with it.
This parable does an exceptional job of breaking down two very specific cognitive styles and using a simple story to highlight them to us. Cognitive styles refer to the way in which we process information – a person’s typical mode of thinking, remembering information and analysing data. So even when I began writing this article, I did so with the intent to simply look at hedgehog as the smarter of the two. But you really can’t – simply because no two people think the same way.
But why do I even need this information? There is strength in understanding how you understand, interpret and more so strategise. How do you approach problems? Do you look at the bigger picture, or is it drowned out by all the details that need to add up to the big picture? These are questions that you need to answer, not just to face in your business – but it can be helpful in all aspects of life.
I am a big picture person – it’s just how I look at life. I have frequently embellished my resume to reflect how detail oriented I am – and I can be, but it is not innate to my behaviour. Now in the same way that both the fox and hedgehog have strengths and weaknesses, there is a strength that can be borrowed from the hedgehog’s modus operandi that is extremely helpful in all businesses – being exceptional at one thing.
Jim Collins took this concept and developed it into his best-seller Good to Great. What I will leave you with are his Three Circles of the Hedgehog Concept. Spend some time sitting with these questions and see if you can come up with answers that trim away the fat of your ego and who you imagine yourself to be. I know it’s a bit unfair for me to leave you like this, but I will continue this conversation in another article. Until then, head over to www.buildingbrooke.com and let’s talk.
