What the hedgehog teaches us about focus
In his famous essay, “The Hedgehog and the Fox,” Isaiah Berlin divided the world into hedgehogs and foxes, based on an ancient Greek parable.
The fox, a cunning creature, can devise several complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the fox circles, around the hedgehog’s den, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, and crafty – the fox looks like the sure winner.
The hedgehog, on the other hand, waddles along, searching for lunch and taking care of his home. Minding his own business, the hedgehog wanders right into the path of the fox.
“Aha, I’ve got your now!” thinks the fox,. He leaps out, bounding across the ground, lightning fast. The little hedgehog, sensing danger, looks up and thinks, “Here we go again. Will he ever learn?” Rolling up into a perfect little ball the hedgehog becomes a sphere of sharp spikes, pointing outward in all directions. The fox bounding toward his prey, sees the hedgehog defense and calls off the attack.
Retreating back to the forest, the fox begins to calculate a new line of attack. Each day, some version of this battle between the hedgehogs and the fox takes place, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins.
Adapted from “Good to Great” by Jim Collins.
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