Hedgehog Concept in Your Life
by
Steve Watters
on Apr 10, 2008 at 12:05 AM
The other day, my youngest son was playing in my books and handed me my copy of Good to Great. As I skimmed through it again, I wondered if it would be worth a blog post on the chance that at least one Boundless Line reader hadn't read this book (since this business favorite by Jim Collins has remained a bestseller since it came out in 2001).
One of the principles best popularized by Good to Great is the "Hedgehog Concept." It's based on an ancient Greek parable: "the fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." Good to Great describes how a man named Isaiah Berlin used this parable to divide people into either foxes or hedgehogs:
Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the world in all its complexity. They are "scattered or diffused, moving on many levels," says Berlin, never integrating their thinking into one overall concept or unifying vision. Hedgehogs, on the other hand, simplify a complex world into a single organizing idea, a basic principle or concept that unifies and guides everything. It doesn't matter how complex the world, a hedgehog reduces all challenges and dilemmas to simple -- indeed almost simplistic -- hedgehog ideas. For a hedgehog, anything that does not somehow relate to the hedgehog idea holds no relevance (Good to Great, p. 91).
Recognizing that commitment to a simple hedgehog idea was a primary springboard for companies to go from good to great, Collins and his team developed three circles people can use to identify their own hedgehog concept (you can find a graph here with more detail). To help readers apply the idea, Collins offers this personal analogy:
Suppose you were able to construct a work life that meets the following three tests. First, you are doing work for which you have a genetic or God-given talent, and perhaps you could become one of the best in the world in applying that talent ("I feel that I was just born to be doing this.") Second, you are well paid for what you do. ("I get paid to do this? Am I dreaming?") Third, you are doing work you are passionate about and absolutely love to do, enjoying the actual process for its own sake. ("I look forward to getting up and throwing myself into my daily work, and I really believe in what I'm doing." If you could drive toward the intersection of these three circles and translate that intersection into a simple, crystalline concept that guided your life choices, then you'd have a Hedgehog Concept for yourself (Good to Great, p. 96).
How would you apply this concept in your life? Have you tried it? Among those who have tried it, did you see any parallels to Biblical principles for life?
1. Jordan Peacock had the following to say on Apr 10 at 6:30 AM:
I stole that book from my dad for a year and read it several times during that year. Some great stuff in it...
That said, I am most definitely a fox, and every attempt at simplifying/unifying fails miserably. The closest I have been able to come to is faking a sort of adherence to a 'hedgehog' concept and muting the multitude of other thoughts and ideas.
This is particularly poignant with regards to spirituality. As my wife is a Christian, I attempt to practice with her, and mute the opposition, at least in her presence, but my attitude toward spirituality is anything but the rigid framework proposed by the bible.
2. Robbie had the following to say on Apr 10 at 6:34 AM:
This article is interesting. It reminds me to a dilemma: specialization vs generalization. These days a lot of people are being overwhelmed by terms like "multiple intelligence", "multiskilled", "multitasking", and so on. You have reminded me of old art of specialization.
Just imagine a professional who can do sales, negotiation, corporate planning, as well as filing, computer programming, fixing cars, and plumbing! Or a super-student who can do maths, physics, social studis, arts, and sports. Isn't it interesting? Yes, definitely. Is it realistic? Probably not. Some people can do 2-3 things or master 2-3 fields, but there is no Superman in real world. That's why we still need teamwork.
For me, I am facing this dilemma: I understand a lot of things (because I learned various subjects in college) but I feel I can do nothing because there is no particular field I am really good at. I wish I could go back to those times, but I can't. Luckily I am still young (not 30 yet) so I still have time to do few things.
3. Mike Theemling had the following to say on Apr 10 at 8:01 AM:
Interesting post, although I don't really ascribe to it much.
It is good that we specialize in one or a few things. Otherwise we probably would have hard times finding jobs (talking the career angle here).
But regarding careers, the advice is accurate but too simplistic as all three factors (talent, money, passion) rarely intersect all at once. What if "what you love" isn't always lucrative? Say you had a family of 4 but loved to play checkers? How can you provide for your family with just that skill (Or a more reasonable one, what if you have a PhD in philosophy like my friend with a family of three [he desires it be larger]. Not a lot of people paying living wages to do philosophy full time). Or you love singing but have a voice that would make Simon Cowell throw stones at you? I dare say over 90% of all workers don't have this perfect triangle. Some are reasonably good at a task, and get paid well, but it isn't their "passion". Just something they don't mind doing. Some do their passion, but don't earn much (at least enough to support a family comfortably). And some continuously try to make a living at things that they aren't good at.
The point is that "yes", whenever you can, try to get all 3 to match up. But realize that often that won't happen nor is it wrong to be that way. Not everyone who wants to can play sports professionally nor can everyone who wants to can become a famous inventor. We just work with what we've got and the situation at hand.
4. kaj had the following to say on Apr 10 at 9:11 AM:
For where I am in life right now, neither the fox nor the hedgehog describe me. I think right now I have to be more of a chameleon--adapt to the environment around me externally while remaining the same internally.
5. Tami had the following to say on Apr 10 at 9:24 AM:
I haven't read Good to Great yet, but I have to read and discuss the little book Good to Great and the Social Sectors for my class in a week or two, and I'm looking forward to it.
Re: the Hedgehog Concept (at least, what I understand of it so far), I appreciate this and do try to apply it. For me, a large part of this is learning how to steward my time. Living with a singular focus does help you to kindly say "no" to those things that are "nice to do's" but that God hasn't called you to.
But let's not toss aside Foxes just yet. ;) Sometimes we need to be able to move on many levels -- collecting data, trying out various approaches, embracing complexity -- *before* we can roll it up into a cohesive vision. And sometimes the Foxes can help Hedgehogs see beyond their scope -- when you live with a singular focus, the liability then becomes "tunnel vision."
6. Matt from DC had the following to say on Apr 10 at 10:34 AM:
Quick note, I usually post under just "Matt", but there is another Matt around these parts now-a-days. So I'm going to tack "from DC" onto my name since there are many regulars 'round here.
To the other Matt: Great name, love it.
About the Hedgehog Concept:
I'm one of these! Over the past two years God has been arranging my life so I have a good chance at a job that is about one of my biggest passions, one of my greatest natural skills, and is high paying. In fact, I've been on the fence for a long time about moving on from my safe, sure, semi-prestigious, high paying, and greatest-skill-using job to this new opportunity. This article helped get me off the fence and now I know which way to go - woohoo! The big difference is that now I'm bored to death and in the future I'll have to keep myself from working to death ;).
Jordon Peacock:
Can you explain some more what you mean when you say this?
"but my attitude toward spirituality is anything but the rigid framework proposed by the bible."
7. Anastasia had the following to say on Apr 10 at 1:47 PM:
Isn't a fox what used to be called a "renaissance man"?
What if some of us are called to be foxes and some hedgehogs?
This analysis is way too simplistic.
8. Holland had the following to say on Apr 10 at 2:48 PM:
Interesting to apply this idea -- being great at one thing -- in a world where people are trying to be "broad." That is, good at sports, music, books, theatre, philosophy, home improvement, design, conversation, blogging, etc. You have to do it all not be considered boring. But you can't do it all well. Of course, if we apply this to children's lives, would that mean that we would cut out a big hunk of activities that other parents think are critical for their kids' success in life?
9. Katie B had the following to say on Apr 10 at 4:26 PM:
I agree with anastasia, the hedgehog outlook seems lacking.
It looks nice and easy and comfortable, but the fact is, the world is complex, and we need to be able to understand that and deal with things as they come our way.
Even with the obvious pitfalls of foxes, it seems with some tweaking and and applying the principals, that would be a far more preferable, and realistic, and even fun. trying to hard to simplify everything down to one workable ideal will inevitably mean having to ignore things that dont fit, which gets dangerous.
10. BDB had the following to say on Apr 10 at 6:18 PM:
From that description, a "fox" is a VP/General Manager.
The last time I saw a hedgehog (I vaguely remember my cousin having one), I remember thinking that my cat might really enjoy one of those...for a few minutes anyway...
Oh, look at this. Foxes eat hedgehogs. Be sure to check out the section on "culinary use," too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog
(I haven't read the book, but I've heard it's good. I might even have it around here somewhere waiting to read it.)