Geese are incredible creatures, and are highly communal. I used to hunt them, but not any more. Here are a few powerful lessons on teamwork from geese:
1. When geese are feeding in a lake or field, they always have one or two sentries that are keeping watch while the others eat. They take turns, and alert the others when danger is detected.
Lesson: Make sure someone is always in charge of looking out for the best interest group, even if that means taking turns.
2. By flying together in a V formation, geese are able to travel 71% further by sharing their energy.
Lesson: If we can share our common sense of direction, shared purpose, we can go further together rather than trying to get things done by ourselves.
3. When a goose falls out of the V formation, it will quickly come back into the V shape and take advantage of the lift created by others in front.
Lesson: Sometimes we need to take a breather and lean on one another. No one can go at 100%, 100% of the time 🙂
4. When a goose becomes exhausted or injured and drops back out of the formation, one or two geese will always stay with them and make sure they are OK. If they have to land those helpers will stay with them until they recover.
Lesson: Look out for those struggling. If geese can be loyal and helpful to the hurting, can’t we as humans do the same?
*Thanks to Dr. Linda Robson for the inspiration on this!
