What are you? Hedgehog or Fox?

According to philosopher Isaiah Berlin, there are two types of people. Hedgehogs and Foxes. Hedgehogs focus diligently on one thing and become expert, best in class, whilst foxes frantically embark on a number of different projects and ultimately achieve less in the long run.

In the fast paced world we live in it is easy for us to become busy foxes. Constantly craving the dopamine effect and validation of social media. But being busy across a number of varying projects may mean that we become foxes without even knowing it. 

Berlin makes the point that foxes are clever, beautiful and energised. It is therefore appealing to become one. But as business thinker and researcher Jim Collins suggests, the most successful businesses are categorised as Hedgehogs. Why? because they do one thing better than anyone else in the world. They are not easily distracted, and when they are prayed upon by foxes, which naturally happens, their ability to protect themselves (their one great thing) leaves the fox with a bloody nose.

The Lesson?

Focus on what Jim Collins identifies as the 3 circles in a Venn diagram. Your passion, your economic engine and the one thing you can strive to be the best in the world at. By doing this, you have a far greater opportunity for success and fulfilment in the long run. 

Or, you could become a fox and be easily distracted, desirous of short term wins and scatter yourself thinly across a number of seemingly exciting projects in the hope one of them becomes truly great.

The former is clever. The latter could be vanity. It is up to you to decide. 

Hedgehog or Fox?