Executive Thoughts

Hedgehogs & Real Estate Executive Thoughts

I can say with confidence that the hedgehog is the unofficial mascot of Realty Executives Integrity. If you’ve been in any of our offices, you’ve probably seen some pictures of this endearing little creature. If you’ve ever attended our Executive Launch, you may recall a little puppet show about a fox and a hedgehog, performed brilliantly by our master storyteller, Dale. The truth is, here at Realty Executives Integrity, we base almost all our coaching and training on this winsome, spiny little mammal.

You may be wondering, “So how does this ancient Greek proverb relate to my real estate business?” In this particular metaphor, the fox represents your average, easily distracted real estate agent who tries to do many different things, but none of them truly well. Hedgehogs however are incredible in their simplicity and consistency! They focus on doing one thing, exceedingly well. Every. Single. Time. When applied to business, this Hedgehog Concept is further developed in Jim Collins’ book Good to Great. It’s a simple concept that flows from deep understanding about the intersection of three questions: 1) What you are deeply passionate about? 2) What you can be the best in the world at? 3) And what best drives your economic engine? As you dream and discover where these three questions intersect, you find your Hedgehog!

Transformations in business come about by a series of good decisions made consistently with a focus on your Hedgehog over a long period of time. Those who have the consistency and focus to build great businesses are in fact, hedgehogs. They use their focused nature to daily drive toward a Hedgehog Concept for their businesses. Foxes, on the other hand, are distracted by trying to do too many different things and never gaining the clarifying advantage of a thought-out plan. Meanwhile a Hedgehog never strives to be the best at everything, but focuses on only a few things. The distinction is absolutely crucial.

Every Realtor® would like to be the best at something, but few truly understand —with piercing insight and ego-less clarity— what they actually have the potential to be the best at and, equally important, what they are not the best at. Knowing what you are good at and what you are not is key to building a lasting business. It is this distinction between these two that stands as one of the primary contrasts between an average agent and a great agent.

“The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one BIG THING.” Adam Zastrow

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Questions? Let me be your support hedgehog!