Geese and the Art of Team Leadership

I’ve always found the way geese fly one of God’s amazing creations. In fact, geese have become on of my favorite images as it relates to leadership and teamwork.

If you’ve ever looked up in the sky and spotted a flock of geese you will notice that they fly in a “V” formation.

It seems that God created these geese to fly in this pattern for a specific reason.

The following are some of the reasons behind why geese fly the way the do and a few reflections on what that can mean for us as leaders.

Two are Better than One:

As each Goose flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in the “V” formation the whole flock can
add 71% greater flying range then if each bird flew alone.

When the team is going in a common direction, it will travel quicker and higher on the thrust of one another.

Out of Sync:

When a goose falls out of formation it immediately begins to slow down and recognizing this, it moves back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Each team member must recognize its need for one another and be willing to give and accept help when needed.


Shared Leadership:
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back in the formation and another goose flies in the point position.

The team is interdependent on each others skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents and other resources. Wise and mature leadership knows when it times to step up and lead and when it’s time to follow another.


Mutual Encouragement:
The Geese that fly in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Honking

Application:
Encouragement and support are pivotal assets to the on-going ethos of any team. In other words, make sure when you HONK that it’s encouraging to others. Otherwise keep your BEEK shut.


Never Alone:
When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and they fall 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 other
flock.

It is as we care for more than the end product at hand and care for the people along the way that we become strengthened, whole and infused with momentum to move forward.