Leadership Lessons from Geese flying in V shape

Recently, I was enjoying my evening break on the office terrace at around 6:45 PM sipping hot tea and having a chat with one of my colleagues on everything that din’t matter! 🙂

Suddenly, he interrupted me to direct my attention skywards. We saw a group of Geese flying in a typical V formation with sun setting in the backdrop. My colleague went on to explain the dynamics of V formation and how it helps the group to fly long distances when they migrate.

As a kid, I always wondered when I saw these V formations as I do even now! These bird’s natural ability to co-ordinate, collaborate and co-operate has never failed to amaze me. No egos and no hierarchies when it comes to attaining the goal (which is to reach the destination thousands of kilometers away they are migrating to.)

Here are some of the interesting and amazing facts about these Geese flying in V formation and leadership lessons we can learn from these facts (Thanks to George Ambler at “The Practice of Leadership” blog for sharing this) –

Fact 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 adds 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.

Fact 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.

Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the heart and core of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact 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 it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Amazing to know how these birds use their inherent (cosmic) intelligence to co-ordinate and collaborate in a way we humans have never been able to do.

Have a great remaining week ahead!