Wisdom of the geese
You have undoubtedly seen a flock of geese flying overhead. How the following behaviours of this species provide some insights for organization wishing to achieve performance excellence? o As each bird flaps it’s wings, it creates uplift for the other bird behind. By using a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent more flying range than if each bird flew alone. Lesson: People who are part of a team and share a common direction can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are travelling on the thrust of another and lift up each other along the way. o Whenever one falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds immediately in front of it. Lesson: If we have as much understanding as a goose, we share information with those who are headed the same way that we are going and be willing to offer as well as accept help and support to others. If we do this, we will always stay in the formation just like the geese. o When the lead bird gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another flies at the point position. Lesson: It pays to share leadership and take turns doing hard jobs. With people as with geese, we are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique combination of skills, talents and resources. o The birds in formation honk from behind to encourage those upfront to maintain their speed. Lesson: We need to make sure our own workplace honking from behind is encouraging. Words of support and inspiration help energize those on the front line, helping them to keep pace between day by day pressures and fatigues. o When one gets sick or wounded or shot down, two birds dropped out of formation and follow their fellow member down to help or provide protection.