THERE’S SO MUCH WE CAN learn from nature. Take the concept of TEAM, for example. Yes, there’s lots of stuff around about how to work in a team – clichés like Together Everyone Achieves More … and There’s No ‘I’ In Team … etc. But I reckon no life-coach or team-building guru can teach the lessons we can learn from the humble goose.
Did you know, for example, that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following? And by flying in a ‘V’ formation, the whole flock adds a staggering 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.
Did you know that, whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the resistance of trying to fly alone – and quickly gets back with the group to take advantage of the ‘lifting-power’ of the bird in front?
Here’s another: when the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose takes the point position. What’s more, geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
And this last one’s a beauty. Did you know that when one gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of the group and follow it down to help and protect it? They stay with the sick bird until it’s able to fly again (or dies). Then they launch out on their own in another formation, or catch up with the flock.
Maybe being a ‘goose’ isn’t so bad after all?
