Lessons from Geese

1. As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the

birds that follow. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock

has a 71% greater 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. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the

drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back

into formation to take advantage of the “lifting power” of

the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in

formation with those headed where we want to go. We are

willing to accept their help and give our help to others.

3. When the lead bird tires, it rotates back into the

formation to take the advantage of the lifting power of the

bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and

sharing leadership. As with geese, people people are

interdependent on each others’ skills, capabilities, and

unique argument of gifts, talents, or resources.

4. The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those

up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind

is encouraging and not something else.

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 dies or is able to

fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation

to catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we live as geese, we too will stand by each

other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

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*contribution by my grandfather