When I first went to a Cirque du Soleil performance in the spring of 2001 in Las Vegas Nevada, it took me a long time to figure out why I was so taken in by their intoxicating show. I, and the sold-out audience in the theater with me, was drawn into the magic of O. Why were we so enthralled? When I decided to use Cirgue as the example in the first chapter of my book, I came up with a solution that satisfied my yearning to understand.

Dream to infinity, create from abundance, and strive for perfection are organizing principles for creativity.

The first, dream to infinity, is pure Fox freedom to imagine a new reality. The last, strive for perfection is a pure Porcupine control preoccupation. In the middle is the create from abundance example which both the Fox and the Porcupine use but their approach is so different that the result is usually conflict and disagreement.

Cirque demonstrates that success is built on the harmony and dynamic action between the Disposition Dichotomy. In other words, Cirque uses the Disposition Dichotomy to work its wonders. Strive for perfection never destroys the freedom to be original. The flawless performance of the acrobats and contortionists and the consummate details of the production are all strive-for-perfection parameters that feed the need for excellence. However, the universal metaphors on which the performances are based are purely dream-to-infinity and create-from-abundance allegory.  This expert blending of the Fox and Porcupine paradigm is how Cirque du Soleil captured minds and hearts. This is the perfect example of synergistic dualism where freedom and control work together seamlessly.

All are enriched. Imaginations soar. Empty industry space is filled. Cirque deposits the checks in the bank and the Foxy Cirque directors go out and buy Ferrari’s.