Here’s a great little article I found. The original author/source is not known to me – if you can shed light please get in touch. The article looks at lessons from geese and what we can learn when thinking about teams.

Fact Number 1:

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

Lesson we can learn: 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 strength of one another.

Fact Number 2:

Whenever 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 bird immediately in front.

Lesson we can learn: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept help as well as give ours to others.

Fact Number 3:

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

Lesson we can learn: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

Fact Number 4:

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson we can learn: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something else.

Fact Number 5:

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.

Lesson we can learn: If we have as much sense as geese do, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong!