As each bird flaps its
wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V”
formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range then if the bird flew
alone. (Lesson : People who share a
common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going quicker
and easier, because they are travelling on the thrust of one another).
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
: If we had as much sense as a goose, we would stay in formation with those who
are headed where we want to go -- and be willing to accept their help as well
as give ours to them).
Lessons from Geese
by
Milton
Olson
(Olson
is a naturalist who spent 25 years
observing the organisational behavior of geese. These comments are
adopted from his willingness)