Lessons From The Geese

* As each goose flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following.  By flying in a V formation the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get to where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

* When ever a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds immediately in front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose we will join a formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

* When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership with people as with geese, interdependent with one another.

* The geese in formation honk from behind, to encourage those up front to keep up the speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging.  Not something less helpful.

* When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow the other goose down to help provide protection.  They stay with this member of the flock until he or she is either able to fly again or dies.  Then they launch out on their own with another formation or to catch up with their own flock.

Lesson: If we had as much sense as the geese we would stand by one and other like they do.