This Fall,
when you see geese heading south
for the winter
flying along in "V" formation,
you might consider
what science has discovered
why they fly that way.
FACT: As each bird flaps its wings,
it creates an "uplift"
for the bird immediately following.
By flying in a "V" formation,
the whole flock has at least
71% greater flying range
than if each bird
flew on its own.
LESSON: People who share
a common direction and sense of community
can get where they are going
more quickly and easily
because they are traveling
on the thrust of one another.
FACT: When a goose flies out of formation,
it suddenly feels the drag and resistance
of trying to go it alone.
It quickly gets back into formation
to take advantage of
the lifting power of the bird in front of it.
LESSON: If we have as much common 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.
It is harder to do something alone
than together.
FACT: When the lead goose gets tired,
it rotates back into the formation,
and another goose flies to the point position.
LESSON: It is sensible to take turns
doing the hard and demanding tasks and sharing leadership.
As with geese,
people are interdependent of
each others skills,
capabilities,
and unique arrangements of gifts,
talents,
or resources.
FACT: The geese flying in formation
honk from behind
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.
We need to make sure
our honking is
encouraging
and
not discouraging.
FACT: When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down,
two other geese will drop out of formation with that goose
and follow it down to lend help and protection.
They stay with the fallen goose
until it dies or is able to fly again.
Then, they launch out on their own,
or with another formation to catch up with their flock.
LESSON: If we have the sense of a goose,
we will stand by our colleagues
and each other
in difficult times as well as in good!
~ Written by Angeles Arrien ~