Lessons from Geese

Colors in a Borealis Flyway

Taken from a Speech by Angeles Arrien and based on the works of Milton Olson

Fact 1
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow, By flying in a v formation, the entire flock adds 72 percent greater flying range than if a bird flew alone. LESSON : People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Fact 2

Goose Over Stinson Lake

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into the 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.

Fact 3
When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies 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 and resources.

Fact 4
The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep going. LESSON: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater.

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 the wounded goose until it is able to fly or dies. Then they launch out with another formation or catch up with their flock. LESSON: If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by one another in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

Painted Sky Over Jericho Lake