Gratitude for Lessons from Geese
A flock of geese is worth watching. 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 go farther and get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back in the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the challenging tasks and sharing leadership. People, like geese, are interdependent.
The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up the speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not irritating, or, worse yet, critical.
When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with the goose until it is either able to fly again or dies. They launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with the original flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will likewise stand by and care for one another.
By the way, as I mentioned last week, I have been watching the Tour de France. When riding long distances, the riders work similarly as the geese. Some riders’ “jobs” are to “carry” other riders by riding in front of them and letting others gain efficiencies from the drag, similar to the geese! Competitive bike races like the Tour of Flanders, Paris–Roubaix and Milan–San Remo.
I love this analogy! So much to learn from geese – who knew?
Now how can one teach selfish lone fighters to be part of a flock?
What a powerful post Paul.I am going to remember this story about geese .It came on time.
Thank you, Dr. Amrita. Glad to know you liked our post. Stay awesome!
It would not be a one-day adjustment for a lone fighter to join the flock, but acknowledging that they have to is a great start!
So much wisdom here in lessons from geese! As a solopreneur, I totally rely on Facebook groups pertaining to my field!
Thank you for your comment, Julie. I am glad our post was helpful to you. Be well!
Hi Paul,
I like your comment about the honking.
It reminds me of a joke the tour guides in India and similar countries like to tell:
They say there are three things you need to drive safely in their country:
1- a good horn
2- good brakes
3- good luck
LOL thank you for sharing that, Doug. Stay awesome.
And to think we get all these lessons from geese!
That’s true, Martha. Actually, we can learn a lot from every little thing around us if only we pay enough attention. Stay awesome! Be well.