Too Much Attention Makes a Donkey Think He Is a Lion: Navigating Leaders Who Appear Mighty, But Aren’t
"Too much attention makes a donkey think he is a lion." That saying is a vivid reminder of what can happen when perception outpaces reality. In organisations across the globe, from Tokyo to Toronto, Lagos to London, leaders can appear lion-like, commanding, decisive, and celebrated even, while their actual influence, judgment, or skill is far less than it seems. For anyone stepping into a new role, especially in a foreign culture, recognising this dynamic is essential for survival and success.
The Global Lion-Donkey Dynamic
Asia (Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul): A manager may project confidence in hierarchical cultures, rewarding obedience and attention. Their roar feels powerful, but decisions may be driven by ego, optics, or deference to tradition rather than strategy.
Europe (London, Zurich, Berlin): Leaders often cultivate authority through charisma, boardroom presence, or media recognition. Behind the scenes, however, their operational effectiveness can be inconsistent, leaving teams to compensate.
Africa (Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi): Leaders may command attention through assertive style, public accolades, or political savvy within the organisation. Yet overconfidence can mask gaps in planning, execution, or cross-team collaboration.
North America (New York, Toronto, San Francisco): Highly visible managers can become celebrated “rock stars” of the company, winning awards or media attention, but their day-to-day decisions may reveal overestimation of their abilities.
Across continents, the lesson is the same: attention and perception can inflate confidence. What looks like a lion may in reality be a donkey benefiting from the spotlight.
Awareness Before Commitment
For clients considering a new role, especially internationally, awareness is your first line of defense. Observe patterns before signing the contract:
Decision-making style: Is it thoughtful or reactive?
Treatment of dissent: Are diverse opinions considered, or are they brushed aside?
Consistency between words and actions: Do results match the hype?
Cultural context: What behaviors are amplified or tolerated in this culture that might be misread by someone new?
Awareness isn’t judgment in preparation. Recognizing early signals can prevent career setbacks, stress, or the risk of becoming trapped in a role with a difficult leader.
Navigating Without Compromising Yourself
Sometimes, despite careful observation, you find yourself reporting to a “lion-donkey” manager. Survival and career preservation then depend on subtle, deliberate strategies:
Maintain clarity and boundaries: Know what your role entails and protect your deliverables.
Document work: Clear records safeguard your contributions and reduce risk if the manager misattributes credit.
Build quiet networks: Allies, mentors, and peer support provide guidance and perspective.
Assess options strategically: If your work permit, visa, or career trajectory is tied to the job, awareness allows you to plan exits safely rather than react under pressure.
Agency and Reflection
The coaching insight is that your career is yours to steward. You cannot always change the “lion-donkey,” but you can choose how you respond. Awareness transforms risk into opportunity. You gain insight, develop resilience, and learn how to read organizational dynamics, skills that transcend any one manager or country.
Across continents, cultures, and industries, the lesson endures: the roar of attention is not always a sign of true strength. Some leaders are lions, some are donkeys, and some are donkeys believing they are lions. The difference is what you make of it, how you observe, protect yourself, and steer your own career path.
