To
build a successful business in most any industry, a person must
become a leader. Yet, with experts often giving conflicting advice,
becoming a leader is difficult. Being a good leader is even harder.
If we are patient, observe and think we oftentimes find that Mother
Nature gives us the very answer that we seek.
She
does it again with the leadership lessons of geese. Most all of us
have either seen in person or in pictures, geese flying in the “V”
formation. When you understand the Why of the formation, you will
have learned valuable leadership and teamwork lessons.
Back
in 1972, Dr. Robert McNeish, a science teacher from Baltimore,
Maryland, wrote “Lessons from Geese” which explains the Why that
are the lessons for us.
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 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.
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. Just like we do in social networking situations.
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 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.
Great
lessons, don't you think?
LOL, It's funny because when I was a little girl I use to think that the geese was were making a V shape that stood for Virginia. Great post Janet and thanks for sharing. I love the exmale of leadership you gave by using geese and the V formation.
ReplyDeleteThx, Renita. I love that you saw the V formation as standing for Virginia. Had I known that or even thought of that, it would have been fun to incorporate it in the story.
ReplyDelete