Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• waste a valuable resource
  Warn against squandering or destroying something valuable or beneficial

Examples of Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

• The company's obsession with maximizing profits in the short-term has led them to "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs." By cutting costs and resources, they may see a quick boost in profitability, but they risk damaging the long-term viability of the company by eliminating the sources of sustainable growth and success.

  The idiom "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs" comes from the fable of the same name, where a farmer becomes greedy and decides to kill the goose that lays golden eggs in search of even more treasure. In reality, this decision leads to the loss of the goose and the end of the golden eggs. In terms of business, many companies prioritize short-term gains over long-term growth, which can ultimately harm the organization's success and sustainability. By cutting resources, jobs, or quality, companies may achieve a short-term increase in profitability, but they risk destroying the sources of sustainable growth and success that enable long-term success. In essence, these companies are "killing the goose that lays the golden eggs" by sacrificing their future opportunities for immediate financial gains. This idiom serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the importance of preserving the sources of sustainable growth and success that enable long-term success for companies and other organizations.

• The company has been benefiting greatly from the success of its star employee, but instead of promoting her and finding ways to further increase her productivity, the management is considering firing her. This would be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

  The phrase "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs" is an idiom that describes destroying the source of one's wealth or success, effectively causing greater harm than good in the long run. In this example, the star employee is the goose, and her golden eggs represent her outstanding performance and profitable output for the company. If the management decides to fire her, they would be destroying the very thing that brings them wealth and success, ultimately leading to the loss of benefits and profitability that her presence and productivity provide. This idiom serves as a warning against making irrational or hasty decisions that could cause harm to one's own interests in the long run.

• The greedy investor wanted to liquidate the successful company that had been generating huge profits for years, claiming that it was a wasteful enterprise and that they could do better by starting anew. This attitude, however, was short-sighted and detrimental as it ignored the fact that the company was a golden goose that laid silver eggs every day.

  The phrase "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs" is a figurative expression that highlights the dangers of destroying a profitable enterprise or opportunity by acting impulsively, recklessly, or greedily. It originated from an ancient fable about a farmer who, in his greed, decided to slaughter the goose that laid a valuable golden egg every day, instead of realizing that the goose's valuable eggs were earned through its regular production, and that by killing the goose, he would lose a valuable source of income.

• The board of directors faced a difficult choice: either to continue investing in the innovative product line that had shown great potential for growth or to scrap it and focus on a more profitable but less innovative business unit. They chose the latter and, to their surprise, found that the less innovative business unit failed to meet their expectations, while the innovative product line had become a golden goose that laid golden eggs, thanks to its unique features and benefits.

  This example illustrates the importance of recognizing and nurturing innovative opportunities, rather than prematurely killing them off due to short-term pressures or unfounded fears. It highlights the fact that innovation is not an end in itself but a means to an end, and that golden opportunities often lie hidden in unfamiliar or uncertain terrains.

• The CEO announced a major restructuring plan that involved downsizing the workforce, cutting costs, and streamlining operations in order to boost productivity and profitability. His strategy, however, backfired as it demoralized the remaining employees, lost key talents, and undermined the company's reputation, leading to a sharp decline in morale, productivity, and profits. Some analysts accused the CEO of having killed the golden goose that laid the golden eggs by firing the very people who had been instrumental in its success.

  This example demonstrates the risk associated with implementing short-sighted or heavy-handed strategies that, in the name of efficiency or profitability, undermine the very factors that make an enterprise successful. It highlights the fact that golden opportunities, like golden geese, require careful nurturing and management, rather than blind commitment or reckless disregard.

• The start-up founder was thrilled to see his company's revenues skyrocket after launching a highly disruptive and innovative product line. However, his joy turned to despair when he realized that the product line had become a victim of its own success, leading to a sharp rise in costs, competition, and customer complaints. In his desperation, the founder ignored the warning signs and continued to invest heavily in the product line, even as it entered a downward spiral, leading to a catastrophic loss of money, reputation, and credibility. Some critics accused the founder of having killed the golden goose that laid the golden eggs by failing to manage its success, rather than learning from it and building upon it in a sustainable and profitable manner.

  This example underscores the importance of managing success, rather than lying back and enjoying it. It highlights the fact that golden opportunities, like golden geese, require continuous and thoughtful nurturing, rather than complacency and recklessness, in order to maintain their productivity and profitability over time.

Conclusion

The idiom "kill the goose that lays the golden eggs" is used to caution someone against engaging in a particular activity or task that is likely to result in negative consequences or to waste a valuable resource. It serves as a warning to protect and preserve something valuable in order to continue benefiting from it.

Origin of "Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs"

The origin of the idiom can be traced back to one of Aesop's fables, a collection of stories credited to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop. The fable tells the story of a man who owned a goose that laid golden eggs. However, in his greed, the man decided to kill the goose in order to obtain all the gold at once, only to find that there were no more golden eggs inside the goose. This cautionary tale illustrates the consequences of being greedy and destroying a valuable resource for short-term gain.

The idiom has since been used in various contexts to warn against short-sightedness and the consequences of sacrificing long-term benefits for immediate rewards. It serves as a reminder to think carefully about the potential outcomes of one's actions and to preserve valuable resources for continued benefit.