The wisdom of geese

THE WISDOM OF GEESE

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 the bird flew alone.

Lesson
People who share a common direction
and sense of community
can get where they are going
quicker and faster
because they are travelling
on the thrust and trust 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 have as much sense as a goose,
we will 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 the others.

When the lead goose gets tired,
it rotates back into the 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,
we are interdependent on each other.

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

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

When a goose gets sick
or 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 is able to fly again or dies;
then they launch out on their own,
with another formation,
or catch up with the flock.

Lesson
If we have as much sense as geese,
we too will stand by each other
in difficult times
as well as when we are strong.