Opinion / Columnist
WARNING: The following article may change your life
02 Sep 2016 at 06:25hrs | Views
The Predator Detection Instinct Inspiration
Another most interesting fact about ducks is that they sleep with half their brains awake. Ducks sleep with one eye open when they are located on the edge of sleeping groups. Ducks have an extremely special ability to detect predators in less than a second.
Before I explain the significance of a half awake brain, I would like you to read the following article about ducks' half-awake brain and their behavior patterns:
A Sleeping Duck is Only Half Asleep (by John N. Clayton)
We live on the Joseph River here on the Indiana/Michigan border, and the back of our house is full of ducks and geese who use the river for their daily living. In the evening the ducks will congregate on the logs in the back of our house, and no matter what time of day or night you get near them, they always are aware that you are there and have definite limits on how close they will let you get. I have a spotting scope, and looking at them up close I have noticed that one side of the duck seems to be more active than the other.
In Discover, May 1999, page 19, there was a brief reporting, a study (done by Niels Rattenborg of Indiana State University) of how ducks sleep. What Rattenborg has done is to monitor the brain waves of ducks as they sleep. Ducks always seem to spend the night together as a group. The ducks on the outside of the group are easily spooked by any movement anywhere near them. Rattenborg found that one of the hemispheres of these outside ducks was functioning at 100% capacity while the other one was in a sleep mode. Apparently the duck has the capacity to sleep with half the brain at times doing the sleeping and the other half being fully responsive to the environment around them.
It should be obvious what the advantage of this system is. Not only is the duck protecting itself by being constantly awake on the side that danger might come from, but the duck is also protecting other ducks closer to the center by being a watchman. When ducks get disturbed, the outside duck will not be outside when they regroup. Apparently there is a rotation of responsibility so that a fresh duck ends up on the outside of the group awaiting the next disturbance. There is an exchange of responsibility, such that no single duck should bear the responsibility of being a watchman alone.
The Duck's Powerful Watchman Tactic.
This tactic of ducks really lacks amongst humans. At workplaces, in families and various institutions, many times there is rarely a rotation of responsibilities. The fresh duck often refuses to be a watchman, claiming it's not his/her responsibility. If you desire to position yourself for greatness, learn to help others in their various responsibilities when they need your help. Don't fold your hands and watch the exhausted duck continuing to struggle, claiming it's none of your business.
Great leaders are those who are willing to take responsibilities, especially in difficult times. They retreat during times of glory and allow others to take the glory, and then they resurface during hard times, to take the bullet on behalf of others. The majority of people scramble to the front row or front seat when things are looking great and disappear during tough times, but the fact is that you become more influential by doing the opposite. You can't be always in the middle of the group, you need to step out of your comfort zone and be a watchman for your company, family, church or institution. Ducks are expert 'watchman' they take turns to rotate responsibility of being in the outside of the group awaiting the next disturbance, putting their lives on the line for the safety of everyone.
Advantages Of Duck's Effective Teamwork Strategy
Wise 'ducks' understand that the secret to greatness is being helpful whenever they can, to whoever needs help within their organization, church or family. There are many great benefits or advantages of being a cooperative helpful duck.
(1) When you are one of those who are always ready to step-in and relieve other ducks whenever you are needed, you will acquire other useful skills as you do the responsibilities beyond your job description.
(2) Secondly, you gain the respect of your associates and seniors. The willingness to takes responsibility when the need arises shows maturity. And maturity amongst the members of staff is a scarce commodity in most organizations.
(3)Thirdly, you contribute significantly to the productivity of your organization, family or institution. Ducks understand the power of rotating responsibility of being watchman, and the fresher duck assumes responsibility without grumbling. (An extract from Gwizi's inspirational book, 'DUCK-Tility: Strategies For Being Highly Effective')
For feedback contact The Motivator on gwizimotivator@yahoo.com / www.gwizimotivator.com
To join one of The Motivator's Inspirational groups, whatsapp your NAME to one of his whatsaap groups' administrators on +263773557213 or +7789868335.
Please note that we us only the English language on all motivational posts posted in the groups to make sure everyone understands what has been posted and avoid divisions
Another most interesting fact about ducks is that they sleep with half their brains awake. Ducks sleep with one eye open when they are located on the edge of sleeping groups. Ducks have an extremely special ability to detect predators in less than a second.
Before I explain the significance of a half awake brain, I would like you to read the following article about ducks' half-awake brain and their behavior patterns:
A Sleeping Duck is Only Half Asleep (by John N. Clayton)
We live on the Joseph River here on the Indiana/Michigan border, and the back of our house is full of ducks and geese who use the river for their daily living. In the evening the ducks will congregate on the logs in the back of our house, and no matter what time of day or night you get near them, they always are aware that you are there and have definite limits on how close they will let you get. I have a spotting scope, and looking at them up close I have noticed that one side of the duck seems to be more active than the other.
In Discover, May 1999, page 19, there was a brief reporting, a study (done by Niels Rattenborg of Indiana State University) of how ducks sleep. What Rattenborg has done is to monitor the brain waves of ducks as they sleep. Ducks always seem to spend the night together as a group. The ducks on the outside of the group are easily spooked by any movement anywhere near them. Rattenborg found that one of the hemispheres of these outside ducks was functioning at 100% capacity while the other one was in a sleep mode. Apparently the duck has the capacity to sleep with half the brain at times doing the sleeping and the other half being fully responsive to the environment around them.
It should be obvious what the advantage of this system is. Not only is the duck protecting itself by being constantly awake on the side that danger might come from, but the duck is also protecting other ducks closer to the center by being a watchman. When ducks get disturbed, the outside duck will not be outside when they regroup. Apparently there is a rotation of responsibility so that a fresh duck ends up on the outside of the group awaiting the next disturbance. There is an exchange of responsibility, such that no single duck should bear the responsibility of being a watchman alone.
The Duck's Powerful Watchman Tactic.
This tactic of ducks really lacks amongst humans. At workplaces, in families and various institutions, many times there is rarely a rotation of responsibilities. The fresh duck often refuses to be a watchman, claiming it's not his/her responsibility. If you desire to position yourself for greatness, learn to help others in their various responsibilities when they need your help. Don't fold your hands and watch the exhausted duck continuing to struggle, claiming it's none of your business.
Great leaders are those who are willing to take responsibilities, especially in difficult times. They retreat during times of glory and allow others to take the glory, and then they resurface during hard times, to take the bullet on behalf of others. The majority of people scramble to the front row or front seat when things are looking great and disappear during tough times, but the fact is that you become more influential by doing the opposite. You can't be always in the middle of the group, you need to step out of your comfort zone and be a watchman for your company, family, church or institution. Ducks are expert 'watchman' they take turns to rotate responsibility of being in the outside of the group awaiting the next disturbance, putting their lives on the line for the safety of everyone.
Advantages Of Duck's Effective Teamwork Strategy
Wise 'ducks' understand that the secret to greatness is being helpful whenever they can, to whoever needs help within their organization, church or family. There are many great benefits or advantages of being a cooperative helpful duck.
(1) When you are one of those who are always ready to step-in and relieve other ducks whenever you are needed, you will acquire other useful skills as you do the responsibilities beyond your job description.
(2) Secondly, you gain the respect of your associates and seniors. The willingness to takes responsibility when the need arises shows maturity. And maturity amongst the members of staff is a scarce commodity in most organizations.
(3)Thirdly, you contribute significantly to the productivity of your organization, family or institution. Ducks understand the power of rotating responsibility of being watchman, and the fresher duck assumes responsibility without grumbling. (An extract from Gwizi's inspirational book, 'DUCK-Tility: Strategies For Being Highly Effective')
For feedback contact The Motivator on gwizimotivator@yahoo.com / www.gwizimotivator.com
To join one of The Motivator's Inspirational groups, whatsapp your NAME to one of his whatsaap groups' administrators on +263773557213 or +7789868335.
Please note that we us only the English language on all motivational posts posted in the groups to make sure everyone understands what has been posted and avoid divisions
Source - Mthokozisi Gwizi
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