Three Unexpected Benefits from “Talking to the Duck”

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working partnership
In my role as the Digital Experience Strategy leader, I started working with a lot of new partners this year. At first, I spent hours explaining the context of the work ahead, sharing the intricacies of what we can do next together, and trying to align everyone on the vision. It was exhausting, and it felt like I was rehashing the same information over and over. But one day, about six months ago, something shifted. I was venting my frustration to a partner, saying how tiring it was to repeat myself, when they stopped me and said, “You know, there are benefits to ‘talking to the duck.’” The phrase made me pause. “Talking to the duck” is a playful reference to saying things out loud to get clarity. It turns out this approach with my partners has three unexpected benefits that go beyond simple updates. Here’s what I learned:

1. Getting My Partners Truly Up to Speed

When I take the time to explain the context of the work ahead, what we can do next together, and share my thoughts on challenges, my partners gradually start to see the whole picture. Yes, it can feel repetitive, but the process of “talking to the duck” builds a foundational understanding that goes deeper than a one-time briefing. My partners begin to connect the dots for themselves, anticipate what’s needed, and can even make informed decisions without waiting for me to spell things out each time. This understanding means they can proactively suggest solutions or spot potential issues sooner. ...  read more

How I’m Learning to Work with a Difficult Work Partner

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how to work with difficult partners

When you’re proactive, driven, and focused, there’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with someone who doesn’t share that same urgency. For me, this usually looks like poor communication, last-minute cancellations, or even a total lack of follow-through. I’ve been navigating this dynamic recently, and it’s tested my patience and taught me about letting go of what I can’t control. Here’s how I’ve been managing the situation and keeping my own sanity in the process. ...  read more

Turning a Sticky Work Situation Into an Opportunity: Jason’s Story

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I’ve known Jason for many years. Our relationship started with me acting as a mentor to him, guiding him in his career and communication style. Over time, we’ve grown into peers and friends, and I have come to admire the executive he has become. Nowadays, I learn as much from him as he does from me. Recently, Jason shared a story about how he handled a potentially sticky situation at work, and I think his approach was brilliant. I believe it’s something anyone can benefit from, which is why I’m sharing it here. ...  read more

How to Handle Being Overwhelmed at Work – 4 Tips that Work

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We’ve all been there: waking up feeling like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, unsure how you’ll get through the day. That was me last Monday. I was juggling four major projects, all of them in different stages of chaos (or at least it felt that way). One of the projects involved a teammate who I wasn’t convinced knew how to do their part, while another project had a team entirely new to the effort. I couldn’t even gauge their motivation because, so far, no one had taken any real action. Then there was a project where I wasn’t sure what the next steps should be. Trying to tackle all of this at once made my mind feel scattered and unfocused. ...  read more

How to Give Feedback Using the SBI Approach

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Last month, I took a leadership training session called Feedback that Works, created by the Center for Creative Leadership. At first, I figured it would be a nice refresher for my skills, but to my surprise, I learned a lot more than I expected. The session introduced me to a new, simple yet powerful framework for giving feedback—the SBI approach: Situation, Behavior, Impact. It completely changed the way I approach feedback, making it both more effective and less stressful. ...  read more

Embracing Life’s Unfairness: Lessons from a Waterpark Adventure

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Let’s face it—life can be a bit of a rollercoaster. We all have those moments where things just don’t go our way, and it’s easy to get stuck in the unfairness of it all. But here’s the thing: how we react to these bumps in the road can make all the difference. We can either sit and sulk, or we can pick ourselves up, dust off, and keep going with a bit more grit and determination. ...  read more