09/09/2021
One can get saturated with too many business philosophies. I read a lot of books – mostly, if not all, are centered around leadership, and in particular, I am most intrigued by what makes a successful businessperson tick. My favourite kind of book is one that delivers simple, yet brilliantly concise ideas on life, purpose, and, well, money making!
Have you heard of the Hedgehog and the Fox parable? It originates from the ancient Greek poet Archilochus, and though the original story is lost, the moral remains:
"The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing."
I came across this concept in a book called ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins. In one chapter, Collins relates a parable by the writer Isaiah Berlin about a hedgehog and a fox, in which the cunning fox tries countless clever schemes to catch the hedgehog. In contrast, the hedgehog has only one tool—his spines—and he uses it over and over again to thwart the fox.
It basically divides people into two groups: foxes who pursue many strategies simultaneously and view the world as complex, and hedgehogs who have just one, simple view of the world and simplify all challenges to fit that view.
I don’t personally feel that people should necessarily strive to be a hedgehog, as trying out different business ventures and avenues is always better than doing nothing at all. But for those who wish to be hedgehogs, ask yourselves these questions: What are you deeply passionate about, what can you be the best at in the world, and how can you make money from these?
The hedgehog ideal lies somewhere in between your passion, your skills, and your MARKETABILITY – your ability to make money with your skills AND your passion.
Think about it.
- CJ
