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Lessons From the Geese

Meile W. Boos

1)     As each bird 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.

2)     Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back 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 go in formations with those who are headed where we want to go.

3)    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 with people, as with geese, interdependent with each other.

4)    The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

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

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

LESSON: If we have as much sense as the geese, we’ll stand by each other like that.

Editor’s Note: This article was in the North Dakota FCL Update, 12189.

Source: Agricultural Notes, Issue 97 Meile W. Boos, Editor, ELC