What a Duck Named Doris Taught Me About Leadership, Stillness, and Trusting the Process

One quiet morning in April, I opened my front door and noticed something unexpected—an egg nestled beneath the bush just off the doorstep. Curious, I looked again the next day and saw another egg. And then another. By the end of two weeks, a Muscovy duck had laid what we estimated to be thirteen eggs right at our front door.

Naturally, we named her Doris. After all, she had taken up residence by our door, and in a way, we were now sharing space with her. I did some research and found out that Muscovy ducks lay one egg per day until they reach a clutch of about 13–15. Once they’re done laying, they sit on those eggs—for a solid 35 days—until the day the ducklings hatch.

And that’s exactly what Doris did.

She sat. And sat. And sat.

While the rest of the world bustled around her, Doris stayed still. Focused. Unwavering. In those five weeks, I watched her closely—and I started to change, too. I began using the side door instead of the front one, just to make sure I didn’t disturb her. Delivery men startled her from time to time, but she always came back, settling into that nest with a quiet kind of determination that spoke volumes.

And on the 35th day—right on schedule—those eggs hatched. Tiny ducklings emerged into the world, each one a product of patience, purpose, and trust in a very natural process. Then, on the 36th day, I watched Doris through the Ring camera as she marched off with her little ones in tow, guiding them in a perfect line down the driveway and off into the world.

That simple experience taught me three powerful lessons that every leader—and every person—can benefit from.

1. Stillness is Strength

In today’s world, we often equate leadership with action. We think we always need to move, solve, or do. But Doris reminded me that stillness is just as important.

She sat quietly for 35 days without doubt, distraction, or deviation. That stillness created life.

In leadership and personal growth, there are seasons when we need to pause and be present—when answers don’t come from frantic motion, but from thoughtful reflection. In those still moments, new ideas can surface, and solutions can unfold naturally. Stillness doesn’t mean inaction—it means intention.

“You’ll think more clearly, solve problems more creatively, and grow more deeply when you give yourself space to simply be.”

2. Trust the Process

Doris didn’t overanalyze. She didn’t second-guess. She didn’t peek under the eggs to check progress every few hours. She simply trusted the process.

As humans, that’s hard. We want control, and we crave certainty. But growth—whether in business, relationships, or personal development—requires us to lean into faith and consistency.

The results we want won’t always show up immediately. But when we trust the process and commit to daily habits with discipline, transformation will come.

“What you’re working on today may not bear fruit tomorrow—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Stay the course.”

3. Lead the Way, the Doris Way

When it was time to go, Doris didn’t push or panic. She simply led.

One duckling went astray briefly. Doris calmly turned, brought it back, and continued forward. No yelling. No panic. Just purposeful redirection.

It reminded me of a quote by John C. Maxwell:

“A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

That’s exactly what Doris did. She embodied leadership in its simplest, purest form. And her ducklings followed not because they were forced—but because they trusted her.

Final Thought: The Power of Observation

In my 60s, after decades of life and leadership experience, I found myself learning some of the most profound lessons from a duck on my porch.

It’s amazing what you can discover when you simply observe the world around you. Too often, we rush past what’s right in front of us. But sometimes, the greatest lessons come from the quietest sources.

So the next time life puts something unfamiliar in your path—pause. Watch. Reflect. There’s wisdom waiting to be uncovered.

And if you ever feel stuck, restless, or unsure of your next move… maybe it’s time to be a little more like Doris.

(Here is the real Doris and her Chicks that inspired this Blog Post)

 At Apex Empowerment, we help people take ownership of their results—and that begins by learning to trust themselves, their process, and the quiet wisdom of everyday life.