WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 52

The Wisdom of Geese

When geese fly as each bird flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a V formation the whole flock has 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.

Many of us recognise that there is a lot we can do by ourselves, there is a lot we can do with a partner or colleague, but there is considerably more power working with others. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are travelling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a Goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

If we have as much sense as a Goose, 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 who are looking for support.When the lead Goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another Goose flies up to the point position.

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing the leadership. People and geese are inter-dependent on each other's skills and capabilities and unique arrangements of power and resources; no one person is right to lead in all circumstances and at all times. Leaders need to learn to let go at times, and others must feel comfortable in stepping forward, no false modesty, no greed for power and position for its own sake.

When a Goose becomes wounded or ill or is shot down, two Geese move out of formation and follow it down to help to protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies, then they launch out together with another formation or they catch up with their 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.The Geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.We need to make sure that our honking from behind is encouragement and not something else..

In groups where there is great encouragement against great odds, the production is much greater because of the power of encouragement. The word encouraged means to stand by one's heart, to stand by one's core, to encourage someone else's core, to encourage someone else's heart.