“When you see geese headed south for the winter flying in a V formation, you might be interested in knowing about why they fly that way.  It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.  When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back and another goose flies point.

Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him.  They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group."

From “Why Fly that Way? ~ Linking Community and Academic Achievement”, Kathy Greeley

Some of the many lessons to be learned from this story (adapted from the work of Dr. Angeles Arrien):

1.	“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 one another.
2.	If we have as much sense as a goose, 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 who are looking for support.
3.	It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing the leadership.  With people, as with geese, we are interdependent on each other’s skills and capabilities and unique arrangements of power and resources; no one person is right to lead in all circumstances and at all times.  Leaders need to learn to let go at times, and other must feel comfortable in stepping forward – no false modesty – no greed for power and position for its own sake.
4.	If we have as much sense as geese, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
5.	We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouragement and not something else!  In groups where there is great encouragement against great odds, the production is much greater by the power of encouragement.  The word “courage” means to stand by one’s heart, to stand by one’s core, to encourage someone else’s core, to encourage someone else’s heart – that’s the quality of honking.”