Who is the Woman Behind Duck Pond Solutions?

It’s been a whirlwind year for Duck Pond Solutions owner Gill Duck.

After a career in the private and public sector, she went into a consulting partnership a few years ago. Earlier this year she struck out on a new pathway.

The vision was always to have and run a business true to her own vision but executing that vision took courage - a move that has decidedly paid off.

Through the first part of 2021 preparations were under way and building to the planned launch date for Duck Pond Solutions in July, but then a new covid lockdown happened.

Normally this would put a spanner in the works, but with Duck Pond Solutions it was typical of how Gill wanted to do things, and she started the way she meant to go on.

She stopped, listened to herself and her people, and did two things: she decided to go with the flow and move the launch back to post lockdown, when people would have the bandwidth to welcome it, and she also took the chance to record her feelings and challenges in a letter to her email list, noting that in years to come we’ll look back to a unique time and its challenges.

Eventually, when Duck Pond Solutions did launch, Gill says the feelings of fresh air and freedom were palpable.

“It was like kicking off an uncomfortable pair of high heel shoes! I could relax into who I really am and by doing that I could open up and offer even more to the organisations that had entrusted me with their strategy and change work.”

Gill knew the time had come to infuse the new business with her own sense of fun.

“Look, we all know that business is serious stuff - we’re dealing with people’s livelihoods and organisations’ fate at every turn, but there is a way to take a lighter approach that actually frees up creativity and innovation.

One thing Gill won’t compromise on is having her values guide her decision-making.

Honour is seen as an old-fashioned term, but Gill feels that it’s vital, along with integrity, in how she lives from day to day.

“They’re my twin north stars,’ she says.

“They keep me level both personally and professionally.

“And since I believe that like attracts like, they help me surround myself with the right people, which has translated into forming alliances with supporting and complementary business leaders in their own right, and all contributing to the collective intelligence that makes up the Duck Pond Solutions treasure chest.”

Being able to run her business on her own terms has not only been a commercial exercise, though.

Gill’s experience has shown a clear line of sight between personal and professional standards - much like the ‘as within, so without’ sentiment - as also being vital.

“I always knew what motivated me - I could never back away from an intellectual challenge or a complex problem, but I needed to get some courage together to bring my humour to the fore in my business presence. Now, it’s a no-brainer, but at the time it was a big step.”

To keep it all together Gill makes sure she takes time to look after herself. She meditates regularly and makes sure there is time to be in nature and decompress, and to pay it forward she loves watching her mentoring clients blossom as they gain more confidence.

Gill is happiest in thongs and with the sun on her face, and she also loves cooking for family and friends and occasionally busting out of the everyday routine - cocktails on a Monday night? Yes thanks!

While she’s focused on having a business that matches her true sense of self, Gill’s happy to admit she still experiences challenges.

“Geography and directions still evade me - and don’t give me a gadget to operate unless you want it - or me - returned in pieces!

If you’re ready to take the next step in your organisation’s evolution, contact Gill for a chat.