Some years ago there was a senior manager at work who would often tell us that we needed to get our ducks in a row.
I think he said it because he had little idea of the actual work that was happening and would use this phrase instead of giving us the strategy and direction that might have been expected of him. Excuse the pun but he might have been winging it.
I had no idea what he was on about at the time, I never saw a duck in a row, column or any other configuration for that matter. Herding ducks didn't seem the best use of my time considering I worked in a financial institution rather than a poultry farm or petting zoo.
So I was left to wonder what would happen if the ducks ever got in a row. As I have since 'flown the coop', to coin another phrase, I thought I'd never find out.
Recently I was over at the old office and stopped by the small lake (or large pond - depends on your point of view I guess) out at the front of the building.
To my enormous surprise, at the edge of the lake, there were some ducks in a row (see poor photo below). I didn't even have to put them there myself! I sat at a table and waited for the big reveal - what was going to happen?
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| Poor photograph of ducks in a row |
It was underwhelming to say the least. All that energy he wanted us to expend getting ducks in a row and for what? Nothing as far as I can see.
Conclusion: If anyone's telling you to get your ducks in a row, don't bother. Show them this and get on with some real work.
