Facts about Geese
Lessons To Be Learned
Fact: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an ‘Uplift’ for the other 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 and another.
Fact: 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 help and give help to others.
Fact: 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 the leadership. As with geese, people are interdependant on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents and resources.
Fact: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the progress is much greater.
Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop down out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it.
Lesson: Teams are stronger if we stand by and support each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
