Lessons From Geese

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Lessons From Geese

FACT 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an `uplift' for the birds that

follow. By flying in a " V " formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater 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 have as much 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.

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 hard tasks and sharing leadership. As

with geese, people are interdependent on each other's skills, capabilities and

unique arrangements of gifts, talents or 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 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.

FACT 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of

formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it

dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or

catch up with the flock.

LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in

difficult times as well as when we are strong.

" Lessons from Geese " attributed to Milton Olson.

~ " We all take different paths in life, but no matter where we go, we take a

little of each other everywhere. " ~

~ " If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the

entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand. "