Unit 47

Lessons from Geese

Lesson 1

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following it. By flying in V-formation, the whole flock adds 70% greater flying range than if it flew alone.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and more easily because they are traveling on the trust and support of one another.

Lesson 2

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird ahead, but not try to fly alone.

If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go and be willing to accept their help, as well as give ours to others.

Lesson 3

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. With people as with geese, we are interdependent on each other's skills and capabilities and special talents and resources of the individuals.

Lesson 4

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

We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging and not something else. In groups where there is great encouragement against great obstacles, the production is much greater. This is the power of encouragement. At the center of encouragement is "courage", and the root of courage is a Latin word that means "heart". Maybe honking strengthens the heart.

Lesson 5

When a goose gets sick, or wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with the flock.

If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.