Gratitude 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 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 can fly again or dies. They launch out independently 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.