Fact 1:
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson:
People who share a common direction and a 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 up into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately ahead of it.
Lesson:
If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Fact 3:
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into 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 each of those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson:
We need to make sure our 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 heat 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.
Fact 6:
Geese fly South for the winter in the Northern Hemisphere.
Lesson:
It is a reminder to take a break from the cold of winter and take a vacation to some place warm & sunny to rejuvenate ourselves.
Fact 7:
The larger flocks of geese usually inhabit areas where geese eating for humans is more popular or in demand, and where there are smaller flocks of geese flying, there is usually smaller demand for geese, to be used for human food. * This fact according to the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents study on geese.
Lesson:
Larger flocks of humans together may not always be as effective as smaller flocks who are able to maneuver much more quickly in life and business without being eaten up by the competition…so to speak. (yes, this was a stretch, but relevant, no?);-)
