by vineet » Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:56 am
The Story of The Geese
When you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in the “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.
FactAs each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird immediately following it. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 % greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go through it alone. It quickly gets back into the formation to take advantage of the ‘lifting’ power of the bird in front of it.
LessonIf we have as much common sense as a goose, we will stay in formation and share information with those who are headed the way we want to go. We should be 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. Another goose takes over and flies to the point position.
LessonIt is sensible to take turns to do the hard and demanding tasks. It pays to share leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.
FactThe geese flying in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
LessonPeople who are part of a team and share a common direction as well as a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another and lift each other up along the way.
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging - Words of support and inspiration help energize those on the front line, helping them to keep pace in spite of the day-to-day pressures and fatigue. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater.
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.
LessonIf we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by our colleagues and each other in difficult times as well as in good !
The next time you see a formation of geese, remember … It is a REWARD,
a CHALLENGE and a PRIVILEGE to be a CONTRIBUTING MEMBER of a team.
United We Stand Good Luck!