Recently I was introduced to some of the work by the ancient Greek lyrical poet and mercenary Archilochus and have been left pondering two of his quotes and how they might relate to coaching business leaders.
“The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.”
Jim Collins talks about the Hedgehog Concept in his book (GOOD TO GREAT). Can people be divided into two primary groups: foxes and hedgehogs like the famous Isaiah Berlin essay?
Foxes pursue many ends at the same time and see the word in all its complexity.
Hedgehogs, on the other hand, simplify a complex world into a single idea, basic principle or unifying concept.
Or is this only possible with the benefit of hindsight?
While investigating Archilochus, I quickly came across another of his quotes
“We don’t rise to our expectations. We fall to our level of training.”
Whether training or learning, preparing and investing in oneself to improve is essential. While a desire to change is a prerequisite, it is not in of itself sufficient for change to occur. Executive coaching is often about forming new habits and at its foundation is the desire for change and action to occur.
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