Lessons from Geese

'Lessons from Geese' is something I picked up, believe it or not, from inside a cereal packet a few years ago. I like it and thought I'd share it with you in exchange for you taking the time to look at my website. Enjoy.

Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings it creates 'uplift' for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation, the whole flock adds 71% more 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 trust 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 in to 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 arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, productivity is much greater. Individual empowerment results from quality honking.

Fact 5: 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.

Quote: "Life is not about having and getting, but being and becoming" - Matthew Arnold