Ducks in a Row

1. In advance, source 4 (or more) rubber ducks & optional craft materials.
2. As part of a values-based or behavioural norms discussion, introduce the rubber ducks to your group.
3. Invite the group to suggest ways to decorate each duck based on the 4 (or more) agreed values or characteristics they would like to aspire (and commit) to.
4. For example, your group make decorate one duck as a firefighter to represent the ‘Be Safe’ value.
5. When ready, assemble all ducks in a single row facing in one direction.
6. Referencing the analogy of “lining all of your ducks in a row,” discuss each of their values or characteristics in regard to your group’s current performance.
7. That is to say, when a group is performing well, all of their ducks are lined up in a straight line (row.)
8. Invite your group to discuss which one or more of the ducks may be flying high or low or out of line relative to all of the ducks.
9. Facilitate a conversation that challenges your group to commit to certain behaviours or actions which endeavour to improve their performance, ie align all of their ducks in a row.

I’m sure you’ve heard the analogy of getting one’s ducks in a row to represent that you are organised or have your affairs in order. This fun, values-based exercise leverages a literal expression of this phrase while also putting them into existence.

If you happen to be unfamiliar with this phrase, then click here to first learn more about why ducks fly in lines or formations and how this relates to group performance.

Your first task is to procure a bunch of rubber ducks, you know, the kind you see hanging around bathtubs. You’ll need at least one duck for every value or characteristic you expect to be discussing with your group. If you’re not sure, four to six ducks are normally enough.

Introduce these colourful props at some point in your full-value or behavioural norms group discussion (see Leadership Tips tab for conversation starters.) Explain that the ducks are going to help your group demonstrate and map how well they are supporting their agreed values.

This means that if your group has discussed and/or agreed on committing to four values, you will need four ducks.

Optionally, if you can access a bag of craft materials and markers, ask your group to decorate the ducks to reflect each of the agreed values or characteristics. For example, you could decorate one of the ducks to look like a firefighter or police officer to represent the Be Safe value, or the Have Fun duck could be decorated to look like a jester or clown.

When ready, deliberately arrange each of the ducks in one, straight line, placed in full view of your group.

This is when you weave the discussion of your group’s values and norms with the phrase getting your ducks in a row. The idea is that when ducks fly in a particular formation or straight line, they are able to travel (or perform) most effectively. That is to say, when they are flying solo, it takes a lot more effort to get anywhere.

For example, if you invite your group to focus on the Be Safe value, ask them to re-position this particular duck in relation to the rest of the straight line. If the group believes it is performing well in regard to this value, then it is likely to be flying in a row with the other ducks. Of course, if your group discusses that there is room for improvement, invite them to re-position the duck accordingly.

In essence, as you discuss each of the values, the physical alignment of the ducks represents how well your group is performing when measured to its commitment to these values.

Take the time to discuss each of the values, and arrange the ducks accordingly. It should be easy for your group to visualise how close they are to aligning all of their ducks in a row.

Ordinarily, you can expect a lot of variation, especially for younger groups who are still developing their team and social skills.

In addition to those described in the Reflection Tips tab, be sure to invite your group to discuss their response to the following questions:

• Where would you place our [ enter value ] duck?
• What’s the impact of this duck not aligning with the other ducks in the row?
• How can we better support the attainment of [ enter value?]
• What challenges get in the way of achieving this [ enter value?]
• How do we know when our [ enter value ] duck is flying in a row?

You’ll know when your group is ready to move on. Challenge them to embrace the tenets of their conversation, commit to improving their performance, and give it a go in your next activity.

You can’t get the decoration stage wrong if you choose this path. Have fun with it, but if it’s easier (or quicker) just write the values directly on the back or wings of the ducks for clarity.

Here are four of our favourite group activities that are ideal for inspiring a valuable conversation about full-value or behavioural norms – The Being, Palm Tree, Five Finger Contract and Values Stock Market.

Feel free to imagine the line of ducks as representing one value or norm at a time or all of their values represented by one row of ducks.

Take the time to help your group take into account the contributions of individual members and how their own contributions impact the rest of the community.

Take time to help participants recognise interactions that supported or hindered the values, and how important these values are not only to treating each other well but also to interacting with the challenges themselves.

You could integrate Ducks In A Row as part of a well-designed SEL program to promote and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse people.

Specifically, this activity offers ample opportunities to explore and practice the following social & interpersonal skills:

Self-Awareness

• Linking Feelings, Values & Thoughts
• Identifying Personal, Cultural & Linguistic Assets
• Recognising Strengths, Prejudices & Biases
• Demonstrating Self-Confidence, Honesty & Integrity
• Experiencing Self-Efficacy
• Having A Growth Mindset

Self-Management

• Demonstrating Self-Discipline & Self-Motivation
• Setting Personal & Group Goals
• Taking Initiative
• Use Planning & Organisational Skills

Social Awareness

• Taking Other’s Perspectives
• Demonstrating Empathy & Compassion
• Understanding & Expressing Gratitude
• Appreciating Diversity
• Recognising Strengths In Others
• Respecting Others

Relationship Skills

• Communicate & Listen Effectively
• Seeking and/or Offering Support
• Build Positive Relationships
• Demonstrate Cultural Competency
• Work Collaboratively
• Showing Leadership
• Resolving Conflict Constructively

Responsible Decision-Making

• Identifying Problems
• Making Reasoned Judgements
• Identifying Solutions
• Anticipating & Evaluating the Consequences of One’s Actions
• Promoting Personal & Collective Well-Being

You can learn more about SEL and how it can support character education here.

Behavioural Norms

The discussion which may flow from this powerful metaphoric activity will invite your group to interact and engage with each other in a manner that would necessarily speak to the benefits of having developed a set of supportive and healthy behavioural norms in advance. Or, if not, you could focus on any less-than-desired interactions or outcomes to explore what sorts of behaviours your group would prefer to see and commit to in the future.

For example, in addition to those described in the Reflection Tips tab, you could invite your group to reflect on the following questions to explore a variety of full-value behaviours such as:

• Generally speaking, how did the group make decisions? How were all members involved?
• Did the group achieve full agreement or consensus on each value or characteristic? Why or why not?
• What types of leadership were demonstrated during the exercise? Were they effective?
• How will your group manage accountability for its agreement to certain values?
• How do the ducks reflect the goal-setting efforts of your group?

• Paper Ducks: Draw and cut out paper ducks as a proxy for rubber ducks, or if you’re feeling particularly creative, make papier-mâché ducks.
• Duck Matrix: Use pen and graph paper to produce a matrix representing a continuum of time and performance. Draw the various ducks onto the graph paper, or use cut-out paper ducks to place on the graph.
• Reflection Tool: Keep the ducks with you at all times, and introduce them at critical moments in your debriefs or reflection conversations. There’s something powerful about the tangibility of the ducks that helps grease the wheels of a conversation.
• Open the Virtual Adaptation tab to learn how to present this activity online.

• While a digital representation of the ducks will miss the tangible benefits of their real-life cousins, this exercise can be presented to a virtual or online audience.
• While sharing your screen with the audience, you will need the ability to move objects simultaneously too, ie shifting the position of the ducks relative to one another.

Have you heard the phrase getting your ducks in a row? What do you understand this to mean [ allow time for input… ] I’d like you to imagine that these rubber ducks represent this group…

Let’s identify what is really supporting our growth, and what is really getting in our way in this next activity…

Coupled with one or more reflection strategies, here are some sample questions you could use to process your group’s experience after leading this powerful metaphor exercise:

• What are some challenges you noticed your team working through?
• How did your group make the various decisions about the arrangement of these ducks?
• Do you feel that these values are supported or neglected by the group?
• What does it look like, sound like and feel like when your ducks are in a row?
• What values did we value over others? How can we ensure we are getting the greatest value out of each?