Donkey At The Top ... A Corporate Parable !!!

Let me tell you the story of a farmer—or perhaps it is the story of a donkey. You decide.

A farmer once bought a donkey from the market. The moment he saw the animal, he was captivated. Everything about the donkey delighted him. The way it walked, the way it brayed, even the way it twitched its ears seemed charming. "What a wonderful creature," he thought to himself.

When he reached home, his admiration got the better of him. Instead of taking the donkey to the stable, where donkeys normally belonged, he proudly led it up to the terrace of his wooden house. There he introduced it to his family and to a few visiting friends.

At first everyone shared his enthusiasm. They admired the donkey, patted it affectionately, and laughed at its antics. But before long, the novelty wore off. The guests moved on to other conversations and the family returned to their routines.

The donkey, however, loved the terrace.

The cool breeze felt pleasant. The view was magnificent. The food was plentiful. Most of all, it enjoyed the attention and importance it had received there. The terrace had become, in its mind, its rightful place. As evening approached, the farmer decided it was time to take the donkey down to the stable.

The donkey refused. The farmer, induced , coaxed and persuaded. He tugged gently at the rope. He offered treats. He pleaded. But the donkey stood firm. The more the farmer insisted, the more stubborn the donkey became. Soon the struggle escalated.

The donkey kicked, bucked, and lashed out in anger. In the commotion, it smashed the wooden ladder leading to the terrace. Its frantic resistance shook the fragile structure of the house itself. Boards cracked. Beams splintered. Then came the inevitable collapse. The house gave way beneath them. When the dust settled, the terrace was gone, the house lay in ruins, and the donkey itself was buried under the debris.

The donkey was dead. The farmer stood amidst the wreckage, heartbroken. He whispered ..."not you. I am the cause of your death".

He had lost the donkey he adored. He had lost his house and his furniture. But perhaps most painfully, he had lost confidence in his own judgment.That was cost of misplaced affection and poor judgment.

Is this not the mistake many corporate leaders make? A new employee arrives. Enthusiasm replaces assessment. Charm is mistaken for character. Energy is confused with competence and without sufficient evaluation, the individual is elevated to positions of influence and authority.

The tragedy is that the blame is often directed at the donkey.But the wiser lesson lies elsewhere.The donkey merely behaved according to its nature. Leadership failed. Wisdom demands patience.

First gauge and assess conduct under pressure, only then, move the donkey to the top.

If you think this is merely a story, dismiss it. But life has a curious way of teaching the lessons we refuse to learn.