When I was in college I read the book Good to Great by Jim Collins. A good read that I highly recommend. Collins later presented on campus which is probably the first time I sat in the Chemistry building without falling asleep. At 18 years old I didn’t have any questions during the Q&A because I already thought I knew everything there was to know. I made it into college right? That has to count for something. Now ten years later I do have a question. What if I am a fox?
See, Collins lays out what it takes for a company or in this case a person to go from Good to Great. “An ancient Greek parable distinguishes between foxes, which know many small things, and hedgehogs, which know one big thing. All good-to-great leaders, it turns out, are hedgehogs.” Further, hedgehogs are hedgehogs because they know the answer to THE question:
What can I be the best in the world at?
A little while back a coworker described me as a “jack of all, master of none”. I think it was meant as a compliment at the time but I wonder what that means long term. I have always liked that I know a little about a lot and assumed that it made me a well rounded person. But really, what can I be the best in the world at? And how do I find this out?
I feel like I need to jump back in the hot tub time machine and slap 18-year-old self. “Focus young Schum Bag! In order to help yourself become filthy rich, ah, and save the planet, you need to ask Collins the secret to finding what you can be the best in the world at… oh and ask your roommates what time the kegger starts.”
4 comments:
I would love to be considered a fox. :-) I mean who wants to be a HEDGEHOG??
For real though, I think a fox is who you call, everyday. They are vaulable, everday. And accomplish something, everyday. That can add up to a whole lot over time.
Being focused on only one thing, well.... maybe you are a hedgehog.
Boy Howdy do I know what you mean Noah!
I've been struggling with this same question for the last several weeks. It started (again) when I met a 22 year old consulting for my employer. He’s a multi-millionaire, has founded several companies, and the WSJ named him one of the 100 people to have most influenced the internet! At 22! He’s eats, breathes, and lives nothing but internet advertising.
Sure he has success, but there is something to be said for being well-rounded. It would be simple and financially rewarding to have that intense singular focus to become the best at one thing, but just think of all that you would miss out on! Not to mention how boring you would be to talk to. I love sharing my professional experiences, travel stories, and athletic accomplishments with others. Maybe we just have to accept being “above-average” at many different things.
So maybe it’s not so bad being the fox with A.D.D. But if you discover how to decide the one thing to become the greatest in the world at, please let me know. And I’ll be sure to tell you what time the kegger starts…
-Dave
(Sorry for the long post!)
One more thing that could be helpful...
The other week I might a guy our age who had changed careers from investment banker to contruction management a couple years ago and was still thrilled with his new job. He recommended a book called "Getting Unstuck" by Tim Butler. I just ordered it from Amazon, but my friend raved about it and credits the book for helping him find his passion. So, there's hope...
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