Fact No. 1
As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an "uplift" for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can go further and get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.
Fact No. 2
Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back in formation to take advantage of the "lifting power" of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go.
Fact No. 3
When the lead goose gets tired, it moves back into formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson: Sharing the leadership and hard tasks will enable a team to achieve so much more.
Fact No. 4
The geese in 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 — not something less than helpful.
Fact No. 5
When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the goose until it is either able to fly again or dies. Then they fly off with another formation or catch up to the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in hard times as well as good.