I was introduced to 'Lessons from Geese' some years ago, and do not know the original source, though it is liberally scattered around the internet under various sources. The spirit of it has stayed with me, and I find myself coming back to it regularly when helping people to reflect that 'going it alone' may not always be the best strategy, particularly when times are tough. The job of a leader can be very lonely if the team is not firmly aligned, heading in the same direction, and behaving like a team.
The lessons below need no further comment, just a bit of reflection time:
Fact 1
As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone
LESSON:: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON: If we have as much 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.
Fact 3
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangement of talents,skills or resources.
Fact 4
The geese flying in formation, honk to encourage those up front to keep going.
LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater.
Fact 5
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation of geese and try to catch up with the flock
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
V formation makes it easier to keep track of every bird in the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.
As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone
LESSON:: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.
LESSON: If we have as much 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.
Fact 3
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and unique arrangement of talents,skills or resources.
Fact 4
The geese flying in formation, honk to encourage those up front to keep going.
LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater.
Fact 5
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation of geese and try to catch up with the flock
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
V formation makes it easier to keep track of every bird in the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.
