Looking Ahead…

How’s this for some introspection??

The Story of The The Story of The GeeseGeese

This FallThis Fall

when you see geese when you see geese

heading south for the winter heading south for the winter

flying along in the “V” formation,flying along in the “V” formation,

you might consider what science has you might consider what science has

discovered as to why they fly that way.discovered as to why they fly that way.

FactFact

As each bird flaps its wings,As each bird flaps its wings,

it creates an “uplift” for the bird it creates an “uplift” for the bird

immediately following it.immediately following it.

By flying in a “V” formation,By flying in a “V” formation,

the whole flock adds at least the whole flock adds at least

71 % greater flying range71 % greater flying range

than if each bird flew on its own.than if each bird flew on its own.

Fact Fact

Whenever a goose falls out of formation,Whenever a goose falls out of formation,

it suddenly feels the drag and resistanceit suddenly feels the drag and resistance

of trying to go through it alone.of trying to go through it alone.

It quickly gets back into the formationIt quickly gets back into the formation

to take advantage of the ‘lifting’ powerto take advantage of the ‘lifting’ power

of the bird in front of it.of the bird in front of it.

LessonLesson

If we have as much common sense as a goose,If we have as much common sense as a goose,

we will stay in formation and we will stay in formation and

share information with those share information with those

who are headed the way we want to go.who are headed the way we want to go.

We should be willing to accept their helpWe should be willing to accept their help

and give our help to others.and give our help to others.

It is harder to do something alone It is harder to do something alone

than together!than together!

FactFact

When the lead goose gets tired,When the lead goose gets tired,

it rotates back into the formation.it rotates back into the formation.

Another goose takes over Another goose takes over

and flies to the point position.and flies to the point position.

LessonLesson

It is sensible to take turnsIt is sensible to take turns

to do the hard and demanding tasks.to do the hard and demanding tasks.

It pays to share leadership.It pays to share leadership.

As with geese, people are interdependentAs with geese, people are interdependent

on each other’s skills,on each other’s skills,

capabilities, and unique arrangementscapabilities, and unique arrangements

of gifts, talents, or resources.of gifts, talents, or resources.

FactFact

The geese flying in formationThe geese flying in formation

honk from behindhonk from behind

to encourage those up frontto encourage those up front

to keep up their speed.to keep up their speed.

Lesson Lesson

People who are part of a team People who are part of a team

and share a common direction and share a common direction

as well as a sense of community as well as a sense of community

can get where they are going can get where they are going

more quickly and easily because more quickly and easily because

they are traveling on they are traveling on

the thrust of one another andthe thrust of one another and

lift each other up along the way.lift each other up along the way.

LessonLesson

We need to make sure our honkingWe need to make sure our honking

is encouraging - Words of support and is encouraging - Words of support and

inspiration help energize those on the front line,inspiration help energize those on the front line,

helping them to keep pace in spite of the helping them to keep pace in spite of the

day-to-day pressures and fatigue.day-to-day pressures and fatigue.

In groups where there is encouragement,In groups where there is encouragement,

the production is much greater.the production is much greater.

FactFact

When a goose gets sick, wounded, When a goose gets sick, wounded,

or shot down, or shot down,

two other geese will drop out of formationtwo other geese will drop out of formation

with that goose and follow it downwith that goose and follow it down

to lend help and protection.to lend help and protection.

FactFact

They stay with the fallen gooseThey stay with the fallen goose

until it dies or is able to fly again.until it dies or is able to fly again.

Then, they launch out on their own,Then, they launch out on their own,

or with another formationor with another formation

to catch up with their flock.to catch up with their flock.

LessonLesson

If we have the sense of a goose,If we have the sense of a goose,

we will stand by our colleagueswe will stand by our colleagues

and each otherand each other

in difficult times in difficult times

as well as in good !as well as in good !

It is a REWARD, It is a REWARD,

a CHALLENGE a CHALLENGE

and a PRIVILEGE and a PRIVILEGE

to be a to be a

CONTRIBUTING MEMBER CONTRIBUTING MEMBER

of a of a

TEAM!TEAM!

The next time you see a The next time you see a formation of geese, formation of geese,

remember …remember …

Good Good Luck!Luck!

United We United We Stand Stand