Stop Sending Ducks to Eagle School: A Leadership Lesson I’ve Learned Through Consulting
Throughout my years as a management consultant, I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations across different industries—from healthcare and hospitals to infrastructure, real estate, cooperatives, retail, hospitality, and corporate organizations. Whether the engagement focuses on human capital, business transformation, operations, or marketing, one leadership mistake consistently stands out. Leaders often spend too much time trying to change people instead of understanding them. One analogy that has stayed with me over the years is this: Don’t send your ducks to eagle school. At first, it sounds amusing. But the more organizations I work with, the more I realize how true it is. Think about it. Ducks are exceptional at what they were designed to do. They work well in groups, adapt to different environments, and thrive through consistency and teamwork. Eagles, on the other hand, are known for their vision, independence, and ability to soar above the rest. Both are remark...
