So, you might be asking: how does behaving like a hedgehog have anything to go with becoming a great company? Well, when it comes to these animals, they show simplicity when defending against their predators, and still manage to be successful in doing so. For me, the message behind this concept is that
Simplicity is key.
Reading this chapter (5) of Good to Great really impacted me, because as I would pass the pages, I would make endless connections--I had always been behaving like the fox rather than the hedgehog. All my life I have been a perfectionist, and would try to go through a complex process, thinking that it was the best way to reach success. It was then when I realized that "if you have the right hedgehog concept and make decisions relentessly consistent with it, you will create such momentum that your main problem will not be how to grow, but how not to grow too fast".
When I was behaving like the fox, I never felt driven to what I was doing; I saw any task as an obligation rather than something I actually wanted to do. This is when the three circles came in. This was where I was mistaken when working on absolutely anything: I didn't go b e y o n d when thinking, thus I wasn't motivated whatsoever. After putting some thought, I also came to the conclusion that the hedgehog concept is essential for enjoying what you do. First of all, it is simple and apart from that, it's about something that you are passionate about, that you can be good at, and that drives your economic engine. |
Starting our own magazine will require commitment, but at first I began to think: what if some of my classmates aren't motivated about this project; will we get worse results? This was a concern, because I was positive we all wanted to reach success, but it is evident that with no motivation this wasn't possible. As the weeks have passed by though, I am seeing everyone much more interested in class, because they are becoming driven, as well as me. While reading Good to Great I have learned many things it takes to have a GREAT COMPANY, and I am not even halfway through the book. I can't wait to read what is yet to come and make our IA'17 magazine company a GREAT one.