STORY OF THE GEESE

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird following.  By flying in a “V” formation the whole flock adds 71% more flying 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.

When a goose falls out to formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds immediately in front.

LESSON:  If we have as much sense as a goose, we will join in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.

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.  People, similar to geese, are interdependent with one another.

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those in front.

LESSON:   We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not something less helpful.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow their member down to help provide protection.  They stay with this member of the flock until he/she is ready to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or to catch up with their flock.

LESSON:   If we have as much as sense as the geese, we’ll stand by one another like they do.