This document summarizes and analyzes Aesop's fable "The Donkey and the Grasshopper". It tells the story of a donkey who is envious of the beautiful singing of grasshoppers and attempts to emulate them by only eating dew, which causes the donkey to die of hunger. The document says this fable teaches us to be true to our authentic selves rather than copying others. It also discusses how as leaders we must listen to our own voices and perspectives rather than being swayed by groupthink.

1. Aesop’s Leadership – “The Donkey and the
Grasshopper”
tonyadamspm.com/2014/07/aesop-donkey-and-grasshopper/
Tony
Welcome to another of Aesop’s fables – this time, a bite-sized story about a short-sighted Donkey who
tries to emulate a cloud of Grasshoppers, with disastrous results.
I love this fable – it’s short
and simple but really packs a
punch at the end and
challenges us to think about
how we choose to conduct
ourselves; whether we
should try to emulate
someone else, or listen to
our own, unique voice.
Young T thought this one
was a little horrid (“Daddy, I
don’t like reading that the
donkey died”) until we spoke
about it and she came to see
that rather than being a true
story (“Miss T, it’s make-
believe – you know that donkeys and grasshoppers don’t speak the same language and back then,
there was no such thing as Google Translate”), the Donkey challenges us to look in the mirror and ask
ourselves whether we are really comfortable with what we see staring back at us.
Whilst I don’t think she believes that there was ever a world without Google, Young T did start to see a
little of the Donkey in her own mirror. How about you?
The Donkey and the Grasshopper
A Donkey having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted; and,
desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what sort of food they lived
on to give them such beautiful voices. They replied, “The dew”. The Donkey resolved
that he would live only upon dew, and in a short time died of hunger.
A Simple Reflection
This fable reminds us of the importance of remembering our own voices and being true to our authentic
selves, rather than being drawn into the crowd and following somebody else.
Just as the donkey tries to emulate the grasshopper by drinking from the same dew, we so often see a
path that works for others and are seduced into following it for ourselves, hoping for the same outcome.
Maybe we become comfortable with a “safety first” approach that numbs us into thinking “that’s the
way it’s always been done”. Or perhaps we see someone whom we admire basking in Rock Star

2. success, whilst imagining that if we did the same things in the same way…then maybe…just maybe,
we would have the same success.
We lose sight of our own strengths.
We forget those things that we do best.
I’m not convinced that the donkey sets out to “be like” the grasshoppers but instead, is seduced into
thinking that he too, could sing like them and looks to take the shortest, most expedient path to get
there. He loses sight of what he does best – he forgets that no animal is as good at braying like a
donkey, as… a donkey.
Instead of recognizing his authentic self, he tries to mimic someone else – with fatal results.
“So… I Shouldn’t Talk To Grasshoppers?”
As Leaders, our constant challenge is to listen to our own voices and to remain true to ourselves.
We often talk about the dreaded “Groupthink” and the ways with which it can hinder us, dumbing down
our conversation and squashing our creative thinking.
We see functional groups within an organisation develop their own tribal culture, enforce strong
boundaries and resist engaging with external opinions that might “threaten” the status quo.
We see teams become polarized by the “need” to build a consensus around every decision,
preventing them from moving forward or doing anything that deviates from the well-worn middle
ground. (Art Petty writes brilliantly about the “irrational pursuit of consensus“).
We see leaders convince themselves, despite a chorus of voices to the contrary, that their way
is the only way.
If we take the view that Groupthink is to be avoided at all costs, then we might urge the donkey to avoid
the grasshoppers altogether, lest their collective and persistent chirping leads him to lose his donkey
perspective and think that his braying is somehow inferior.
The counter argument is that there is always value in consulting with a community beyond our own,
that we are enriched by engaging with alternative opinions and ideas, that we grow where we
challenge ourselves through embracing difference.
In that case, there is real value in the donkey checking in and shooting the breeze over a dew soda
with the grasshoppers.
Let them share stories, compare notes and gain fresh perspectives.
Let the donkey understand the challenges of chirping like a grasshopper and come to a greater
appreciation of his own, utterly unique, braying.
Bringing it all back home
Aesop gives a brilliant life lesson.
He reminds us that we each have a unique voice and that to prosper, we must let those voices be
heard.
A donkey is not a grasshopper. A donkey is a donkey. A donkey can better appreciate just how unique
he is, by communing with grasshoppers and reflecting on the beautiful, glorious differences.
As leaders, we need to constantly make sure our own voices are heard, that we remain true to

3. ourselves and that the face we see in the mirror is truly our own.
Let the face in the mirror remind you of who you are, that you are not someone else and that your voice
is uniquely yours.
Consult widely, challenge your views, question yourself and appreciate what the grasshoppers are
telling you – that no one leads a team like you do.
How does this fable resonate with you? Do you try to emulate your leadership icons or do you adopt
their ways and shape them to suit your own style? How does the donkey stare back at you from your
mirror?
As always, I’d love to hear from you – please share your thoughts by adding a comment, or via Google
Plus, Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. Thanks!
Tony
I am a Project Leadership Consultant, Speaker and Blogger; passionate about
using the rich, vibrant energy of face-to-face communication to drive real, driving
transformational changes. I get excited by working with creative people, sharing
ideas, listening to people share their stories, watching their eyes light up, seeing
what excites and motivates them, then finding out ways to harness that energy.
Drives me crazy! Bring it on.
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