Geese story

The ”V” formation - Significance ????

As geese flap their wings, they create an uplift for the birdfollowing. The ”V” formation has a significance………….

The ”V” formation helps increase the range by 71%compared to a bird flying alone.

+ 71 % range

Whenever a goose falls out of the formation, it suddenly feels thedrag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly get back into

the formation to take advantage of the lifting power.

When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation andanother goose flies at the point position

The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage thosein front to keep up their speed and efforts.

You can do it !

Come on !

When a goose get sick or wounded or is shot down, two geesedrop out of the formation and follow it down to help and protect it.

They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies.

• Description -• In just over 3 minutes it teaches five key lessons about being a team player and winning as a

team. Its dramatic footage of Geese flying in formation against the musical background of “Groovin with Mr Bloe” provides insights into how to excel in and as teams. By flying in the "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if a bird flew alone. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the bird that follows.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone and quickly gets back into the formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in the front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go (and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others). When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard or difficult task, and share leadership with people. As with geese, we are mutually dependent on each other. The geese in the formation honk from behind 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. When a goose gets sick or wounded and is forced to drop out of formation, two geese drop out and follow it down and stay with it to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or it dies. Then they launch out on their own until they can join another formation or catch up with their gaggle.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times, and we will be dedicated to each other's success. You can use it as a motivational starter or closer again and again with every group in your organization.

• Lessons from Geese• 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 has 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 each other• 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 bird tires, it rotates back into the formation to take 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 are interdependent on each

others’ skills, capabilities, and unique arrangement 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 our 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 to encourage the heart and core values 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 to 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’re strong.•

Note: Lessons from Geese was transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arien at the 1991 Organizational Development Network.   It was based on the work of Milton Olson. It circulated to Outward Bound staff throughout the United States.

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