Lessons From The Geese

When you see geese flying along in “V” formation, you might wonder why
they fly that way…

FACT: As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the
bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock
has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on it’s own.

LESSON: People who share a common direction and sense of community
can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are
traveling on the thrust of one another.

FACT: When a goose flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag
and resistance of trying to go it alone. It quickly gets back into formation
to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it.

LESSON: If we have as much common sense as a goose, we stay in
formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept
their help and give our help to others. It is harder to do something alone
than together.

FACT: When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the
formation, and another goose flies to the point position.

LESSON: It is sensible to take turns doing the hard and demanding
tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent of
each others skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents,
or resources.

FACT: The geese flying in formation honk from behind to encourage
those up front to keep up their speed.

LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups
where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of
encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart
and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek. We need to make sure
our honking is encouraging and not discouraging.

FACT: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two other geese
will drop out of formation with that goose and follow it down to lend help
and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it dies or is able to
fly again. Then, they launch out on their own, or with another formation to
catch up with their flock.

LESSON: If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by our
colleagues and each other in difficult times as well as in good!