The hedgehog concept: the hedgehog and the fox

Imagine two animals: a hedgehog and a fox. Which one do you choose? If you are placed for this choice, it depends on the considerations on which you base your choice. Appearance? Cleverness? Speed? Then most will choose the fox but not always is it wise. For example, when it comes to the “Hedgehog concept”.

Hedgehog concept

Let's start with the remark that this is based on the essay ‘The hedgehog and the fox’ written by Isaiah Berlin. In the essay he makes the comparison between the fox and the hedgehog when it comes to strategy. In the book ‘Good to Great’ Jim Collins makes the comparison with companies.[2] How do great companies distinguish themselves from good companies (from the control group)? And, striking or not, also based on the Hedgehog concept. Time to look closer to the battle between a hedgehog and a fox.

Cleverness

We see a hedgehog walking on a forest trail, well, you can hardly call it walking, it’s more waggeling. He is very calm. At his own pace, he seems to be very slow. A little further a fox is hiding and waiting for the right moment to attack his prey. The fox is thought to be much smarter and easily win this battle. On a certain moment the fox takes his change and jumps off the hedgehog. What is happening? The hedgehog rolls up to a sphere of spikes and the fox sees to be ineffective and dripping down. He’s going, smart like he is, to think how to win the battle next time. And so there is always some version of the battle, and despite the greater cunning of the fox, the hedgehog wins.

Insights

Note, Collins writes, hedgehogs are not stupid. They keep it simple and clear. The only thing they have to do is rolls up as soon as there is danger. ‘Hedgehogs see the essence and ignore the rest.'[3] It’s the simple approach, an incredible simplicity and the insight into the own ability.

Keep it simple

This characterizes great companies according to Collins. They have insight into their own ability (‘the G2G talent’) and it is a constant process. You can still be smart, think of a new strategy every time, but do not forget that the hedgehog that keeps it simple does not lose the battle. Which one do you choose? The smart fox or the maybe even smarter hedgehog?!

[1] Berlin, I., ‘The Hedgehog and the Fox’, Chicago: Elephant Paperbacks 1993.
[2] Collins, J., ‘Good to Great‘, Amsterdam/Antwerpen: Business Contact 2005.
[3] Collins 2005, p. 91.