This is the title of great little book from the company Simple Truths.   I highly recommend .   It was founded by an inspired man named Mac Anderson.  They produce a series of short, simple books, videos and other products with often profound, heart-warming but simple messages. Works well for me! I guess I have a pretty simple mind, but it is an old adage that truth really is simple and to the point; we humans complicate things.

In short, that book says that if you ain’t got the DNA in you to excel at whatever your chosen endeavor is and to give it your best, you can’t train this. You can awaken it and nurture it, but if the makings of excellence aren’t there, they aren’t there. This can save a lot of trouble when hiring people! I am going through this with a subcontractor now. I have concluded he is a duck, and I want eagles.

Years ago the son of close friends of mine worked for me at times during high school. John was bright, had the hands, and most of all he had a lot of attention for whatever was going on. He had commitment. He wanted to learn. He asked questions. He asked if he could offer suggestions sometimes.

In a short time I concluded, This kid has it. I told him that if he wanted to pursue a career in construction I knew he could do real well. I really enjoyed having him with me.

Now years later, John is in his thirties and is a fine woodworker in San Francisco. Some of his work was just showcased in a major magazine article, although the architect got the credit.

John is definitely an eagle.

Eagles come in various flavors, but they have a drive to excel and satisfy their own high standards.  They don’t generally make excuses.  They want to learn.  They have a solid but not over-riding ego.

For me, the best eagles have plenty of humility along with their high standards. This makes them pleasant to be with and inspiring.  It makes them good team players who are also highly self-directed.

I had come to my own conclusions in the past about eagles and ducks, but the little book mentioned above put the matter into fuller perspective for me.   Thanks, Simple Truths, and Mac Anderson.