21/03/2026
The Duck or the Chicken? The Secret to Versatile Leadership 🦆🐓
Leadership is often misunderstood as a fixed position. We think being "at the top" or "in the front" is the only way to lead. But recently, through some unexpected transitions and reflections, I’ve realized that true leadership is about fluidity, not status.
I recently saw this image, and it perfectly captures the essence of Situational Leadership. The beauty of these two images is that they aren’t about "Right vs. Wrong"—they are about "Context vs. Context."
1. Leading from Behind (The Chicken):
This is about Empowerment and Safety. There are seasons where a team—or an organization—is established and skilled. In these times, they don’t need a pathfinder; they need a guardian. By walking behind, you give others the freedom to explore and lead, while you stay back to ensure no one is left behind and the big picture remains secure.
2. Leading from the Front (The Duck):
This is about Clarity and Momentum. When facing brand-new challenges, tight deadlines, or periods of high uncertainty, a team needs a trailblazer. They need someone to absorb the "wind resistance," set the pace, and say, "Follow me, I have cleared the path."
The Lesson in the Transition:
A "good" leader isn't stuck in one position. Sometimes, external circumstances or organizational shifts move us from the front to the back—or even out of the line entirely for a moment.
I have learned that being moved from the "front" doesn't mean you've stopped leading. If you are always the "Duck," you might hinder the growth of those behind you. If you are always the "Chicken," the group might lose its North Star. The goal is to have the emotional intelligence to know when the season requires you to set the pace, and when the season requires you to step back and let the collective momentum carry the mission forward.
The title or the position may change, but the responsibility to the "broader flock" remains.
What’s your opinion? Have you ever found that stepping back actually helped your team move forward?
Rahul Rajan