What Does "Shoot the Donkey "Mean?


Latest "Shoot the Donkey" Coverage

The Hollywood Reporter
The New York Times

What Does "Shoot the Donkey" Mean?

The term “Shoot the Donkey" refers to a classic scene in the movie "Patton" (based upon a true life event) where the Third Army gets critically held up in battle on a bridge, by a cart-pulling donkey that had stopped and refused to budge, totally blocking the bridge. Life and death are at stake. An MP struggles with the donkey and the owner, trying to get them out of the way. But with no success.

The entire Third Army halts for this recalcitrant donkey.

General George Patton roars up, leaps out of his jeep, whips out his ivory-handled, shoots the donkey, and immediately has it hurled off the bridge, removing the obstacle.

The Great Leadership Principle

That classic scene not only revealed Patton's character in a cinematic way, but also embodies the great leadership principle of taking decisive action to remove all obstacles to fulfill one's mission.


DON'T WORRY

About the gun being pointed at Donkey O'Tee's head. He addresses it in the New York Times excerpt below. Every since he published his new book. Pompously Obfuscate On Purpose" he's been getting a lot of press.


Quote Attributable to Donkey O'Tee, Expert Access Corporate Spokes-Donkey

"That's what Expert Access is all about. Taking decisive action to remove obstacles to help our readers in their life of business or business of life... and occasionally have a laugh along the way. And please, don't contact me about having a gun pointed at my donkey head. It's a cartoon gun -- and I'm a cartoon metaphor." - Donkey O'Tee

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