What The Duck?

If you were to choose an animal to represent who you are, which animal would you choose? An eagle? A well known symbol of overcoming obstacles and showing authority. A lion? That which represents power and prosperity. Or maybe an owl? The perfect archetype of growth, realization, wisdom, and vision.

To choose my animal, I immediately thought of a dolphin since I identify myself with its social and communication traits. Dolphins are animals that develop in harsh environments and are always aware of change. Perhaps not so coincidentally, dolphins are also the symbol for Public Relations, my profession I care so deeply for.

But without a doubt, the animal that truly represents me is the DUCK. Its knowledge is not related to its appearance or the value we humans give it.

For starters, the duck is multipotential and one of nature's most complete animal. A curious creature, gifted with the capacity to learn a bit of everything.

Some say that to be like a duck is to have many abilities, and, though well executed and with competence, never with perfection. This characteristic, generally judged and frowned upon, is one that I, on the other hand, find as an extraordinary capacity.

Most ducks swim, fly, and walk. Ducks don't seek formosity, they strive for accomplishment. Some species are capable of flying 330 miles in a single day.

Like Sheryl Sandberg's, COO of Facebook, motto says: "Done is better than perfect". The duck does not care if it's the most talented, it acts.

They are animals that conquered the world and, excluding Antarctica, can be found in every continent.

Some species of these migratory birds, like the couple in the picture, are capable of crossing distances of thousands of miles every year in their migrations.

Another incredible ability is their rapid capacity to identify less than ideal environments for their species' development and survival. It goes along the lines:

????????We tried. We tested. This didn't work. Let's migrate!

Ducks aren't afraid of starting over, beginning a journey anew, if necessary. They are courageous, persistent, versatile, and identify quickly any mistakes to be able to correct them - quite possibly the most analogous arc of the entrepreneur in nature.

This capacity of rapid adaptation is an ability we should pursue and develop, in an era where everything changes constantly. To carry the industrial era thought of "this isn't my job or function"?just doesn't work anymore.

You think that's all? Ducks also teach us about leadership and teamwork. Firstly, they don't believe in winning alone. They understand the power of collaboration and, during their flights, they use the "V" formation to help save energy. The ones that lead the formation reduce air resistance for those that follow. Ducks know intuitively where to go and possess an enormous sense of direction and community.

They also show us the importance of shared management: when the leader needs a break, another proactive duck takes the front.

Not only that, a duck can keep half of its brain awake while the other half sleeps!

In summary, the?duck has all the characteristics that the entrepreneur needs to have: courage, versatility, resilience, leadership, and a holistic vision. And being multipotenial is its real true differential attribute.

I believe that the search for knowledge beyond ones area of expertise is essential to transform ideas into plans and plans into reality. I already covered these topics in this article.

Because of these qualities, I see the duck as an animal of power and its characteristics are exactly the ones I aim to develop, learn, and manifest in my journey as an entrepreneur.

I choose to be a DUCK.

Always in motion. Always on the go.

Débora Alcantara // @deboralcantara