The peer pressure was fierce so I gave in.
Chip dislikes reality TV more than I do but I coerced him into what turned into a TV binge over a recent cold rainy weekend.
OH! MY! GOODNESS! I can’t even remember the last time I laughed so much in one sitting. I can’t remember ever rewinding so often so we could laugh again. Yes, you guessed it. We were watching Duck Dynasty!
Behind the ZZTop-ish beards, long hair and the outrageous antics of the Robertson clan is a serious multi-million dollar business accidentally started by patriarch Phil Robertson. Phil created cedar duck calls in a shed during the 1970’s after giving up a professional football career because it interfered with duck hunting season. The company has flourished under the leadership of his son Willie and employs most of the family in various capacities.
And you know me…always looking for a good story or lesson. I thought I would share just a few nuggets of knowledge and business wisdom from Duck Dynasty.
Get the right person for the job. “Hey, you want something done right, don’t ask me.” —Uncle Si
Become an expert at something. “I know this like the back of a ham.” – Uncle Si
Stick with what you do best. “First it's pretty tires, then it's pretty guns...next thing you know, you're shavin' your beard and wearin' Capri pants.” —Uncle Si
Stay focused.“They’re runnin’ around like a buncha chickens with their legs cut off.” – Uncle Si
Keep it simple. “Redneck rule number one: most things can be fixed with duct tape and extension cords.” —Jase
Think creatively. “I am the MacGyver of cooking. If you bring me a piece of bread, cabbage, coconut, mustard greens, pig’s feet, pinecones and a woodpecker, I’ll make you a good chicken pot pie.” —Uncle Si
Always communicate clearly. “Hey, you told me to bring stuff. Stuff is a very broad term.” —Uncle Si
Be aware of the environment around you. "Where I live, I am 9-1-1." —Phil
Innovate. “Phil invented the duck call so he's the Duck Commander. If I invented the beaver call, maybe I'd be the Beaver Commander. Has a nice ring to it, Beaver Commander.” —Uncle Si
Make sure everyone understands the deal. "We'll split it three ways, 50-50." —Uncle Si
Have a backup plan. "When security comes, every man for himself.” —Uncle Si
Know what you’re going to say before you open your mouth. “It seems like a fine line between being a matador and being a rodeo clown.” —Jase
Check the reliability of your information. “Everything I say is 95% truthful.” —Uncle Si
Sometimes, it’s just crap. Admit it, clean it up, and move on. “It was like a gumball machine, except instead of gum it was goat pellets.” —Miss Kay
Relax. “Willie is as wound up as a coon dog tryin’ to pass a peach seed.” - Jase
Be respectful. “Hey, I’m like Aretha Franklin. I don’t get no R-S-P-E-C-T.” —Uncle Si
Bad decisions happen. Deal with them and move on. “Every action in life begins with a decision and unfortunately we don’t always make the best ones.” —Willie
Know when good enough is good enough. "When you don't know what you're doing, it's best to do it quickly.” —Jase
Put a little fun in your work. “Work without fun is like peanut butter without jelly.” —Jase
Here’s what it’s all about. “I like to be hap-pay, hap-pay, hap-pay.” —Phil
Sometimes, there is no lesson. You just need a good laugh. “This snow-cone is giving me a brain sneeze. It's when your brain needs to sneeze, but it cain’t ‘cause it’s a brain, so it just hurts.” —Uncle Si
These self-proclaimed rednecks are true to their values, their family and community. Despite the hilarity, every show ends with patriarch Phil saying grace over a family meal prepared by matriarch Miss.Kay and a narrative ‘life lesson’ by Willie. Some of which can bring a tear to your eye after all the laughter.
Wishing you a ‘ducky’ week!
Lynn
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