Lessons From The
Geese
This Fall, when you see geese heading
south for the winter flying along in "V" formation,
you might consider what science has discovered as to
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.
Harold/Hal LINDGREN
