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Lessons From Geese
"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 traveling 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
arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.
"Fact" 4:
The geese flying in formation honk, seemingly 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.
"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.
Editor's note: "Lessons
From Geese" was transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arrien at the
1991 Organizational Development Network and was based on the work of Milton
Olson.
(Webmaster's note: Some
of the above "Facts" presume knowing why geese behave in certain ways,
something we cannot possibly know short of somehow asking geese why they do
things in certain ways.)
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