LESSONS FROM GEESE
FACT 1: As each goose flaps its wings, an “uplift” is created for the birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds approximately 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 pay attention to our keen senses and abilities, we can focus on staying the course which will propel us in the right direction.
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 difficult tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each others’ skills, talents and resources.
FACT 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
LESSON: We need to make sure that our honking is encouraging others in positive ways, thus improving skills along with production.
FACT 5: When a goose drops out of formation due to an illness or being shot, at least one more goose will often drop out of formation as well, to protect it until it either dies or is able to fly again. They then join another formation or catch up with their original flock.
LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times.
*speech given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991 organizational development network and based on the work of Milton Olson.