Two sleepy hedgehogs, huddled together because of the cold. But because they all have thorns on their bodies, the stabbing makes each other uncomfortable. So they left some distance, but it was too cold to stand it. So they got together again.
After several tosses, the two hedgehogs finally found a suitable distance: they could get each other's temperature without being pricked. The story emphasizes the "psychological distance effect" in interpersonal communication, also known as the hedgehog theory.
This theory can be extended to interpersonal relationships, where we need to maintain a certain distance in interpersonal interactions in order to better maintain the relationship, which is what people call the sense of boundaries. If it gets too close, it can create friction and contradictions, like two hedgehogs. But if it's too far away, you risk losing the opportunity to connect and support each other.
Secondly, leaders and managers also need to grasp the distance between themselves and their subordinates. Being too close can lead to a loss of authority and control over a subordinate, while being too distant can make a subordinate feel unappreciated and unsupported.
Therefore, a good leader and manager need to find the right balance, maintain a close relationship with their subordinates, but also maintain an appropriate distance to ensure the smooth progress of the work and the harmony and stability of the team.
In addition, the hedgehog theory can also be applied to personal life. We also need to keep a certain distance from others in our lives in order to better protect ourselves and maintain relationships.
We need to learn to respect the privacy and personal space of others, while also maintaining our own independence and individuality.
In interpersonal communication, we need to learn to listen and understand others, but also learn to express our own feelings and needs. Only in this way can we build healthy and stable relationships and make our lives better.