Leadership Lessons Learned From Saving a Duck's Life

By Wally Conger

I Rescue a Duck from Certain Doom

So there I was, jawing with friends at Starbucks, when the place erupted with shouts and plaintive cries.

"Oh my God, oh my God!"

"Why doesn't somebody do something?"

A half-dozen teenage girls pressed against the large floor-to-ceiling windows. They were watching a mallard duck from a nearby lagoon waddle across the busy street, dodging traffic.

It was horrible. Every time the little green-headed guy began to amble toward the curb, a speeding car or truck sent him scurrying back to the center divider.

"Oh no! Eeek!" the girls yelped.

I couldn't stand it. I excused myself, pushed my way outside, and marched into the street. A horn blared. I ignored it and approached Dewey. (I'd named him in my head after Donald's wayward nephew.) To be honest, I wasn't sure what to do when I reached him.

But that wasn't my decision to make. The duck took one look at me, quacked an expletive, and launched himself into the air and to safety. Last time I saw Dewey, he was winging west.

I re-entered the coffeehouse. The teenagers cheered and applauded.

"Thanks!" one of them said.

"You're a hero," my wife Debbie said, beaming a smile.

The barista on duty snorted and didn't even offer me a free mocha for my selfless deed.

However, my adventure did teach me three valuable business lessons.

Three Lessons in Business Leadership

1) Most people look toward others to lead. It's easy to be a leader in business, in your community, or in the course of day-to-day living. Just take the teensy-weensy step no one else will take. Your potential customers or clients want you to make their decisions so they don't have to.

2) Take action! When you spot a problem and are positioned to do something about it, act -- and do it quickly! Procrastination is the enemy. Heck, it can even get a duck killed.

3) Your leadership will earn applause. But it will also be taken for granted by many, and even resented by a few. Be thankful for the kudos; shrug off the rest.

Which reminds me. Ducks, like some people, can be ungrateful little buggers.

There are plenty of business-building and money-making lessons you can learn hanging out at your local coffeehouse. Claim your FREE Instant Access to the eBook, "Fire-Up Your Cash Flow Over A Donut And Coffee -- In 10 Minutes...Or Less!" at http://www.fireupyourcashflow.com

From Wally Conger - Smashing Wage-Slavery One Job at a Time

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Leadership Lessons Learned From Saving a Duck's Life