The genius of a hedgehog

In his famous essay "The Hedgehog and the Fox," Isaiah Berlin divided the world into hedgehogs and foxes, based upon an ancient Greek parable: "The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing." 

The fox is a cunning creature, able to devise a myriad of complex strategies for sneak attacks upon the hedgehog. Day in and day out, the for circles around the hedgehog's den, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. Fast, sleek, beautiful, fleet of foot, and crafty - the fox looks like the sure winner. The hedgehog, on the other hand, is a dowdier creature. Looking like a genetic mix up between a porcupine and a small armadillo. He waddles along going about his simple day, searching for lunch and taking care of his home.

The fox waits in cunning silence at the juncture in the trail. The hedgehog minding his own business, wanders right into the path of the fox. "Aha, I've got you 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 hedgehog and the fox takes place, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog always wins.

*The following is an excerpt from the book "Good to Great" by Jim Collins.

The hedgehog always wins. Hedgehogs are simple, but they are not simpletons, they have a piercing insight that allow them to see through complexity and discern underlying patterns. Hedgehogs see what is essential, and ignore the rest.

This parable is the basis of Collin's "Hedgehog Concept" that he trains businesses on to break from the sea of sameness (good companies) to greener pastures (great companies). The same is true for individuals - there is a very clear distinction between

- the goal to be the best
- a strategy to be the best
- an intention to the best 
- a plan to be the best

vs. understanding what you can be the best at.

And so the question of the week for my dear hedgehogs, is what is your spiky brilliance?