Fact: 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 a sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one 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 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: 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 in doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent 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: When working in groups, we need to be supportive and encourage our team members. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater.
Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out with another formation or 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.
(Robert McNeish, 1972)
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