Lessons From The Geese - Useful In Relationship Building

Another fact I would like to share was that the honking of the geese we hear as they migrate is actually them encouraging each other to continue on. Okay, perhaps that could arguably be considered an opinion, but so what?!

It made me think of how we can emulate the compassionate and wise behaviour of the geese. It also reminded me of something I have always felt and that is being in the company of like-minded people elicits a sense of strength, purpose, and community.

So what can we learn from our fine feathered friends, the geese?

1. The 'V' formation adds the whole flock extra flying range.

Lesson: People who share a sense of community can help each other get where they are going more easily because they are travelling on the trust of one another.

2. When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, 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 because we are travelling on the trust of one another.

3. When the lead goose tires, it drops back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.

4. The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.

Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In teams where there is encouragement, production (result) is much greater. Individual empowerment results from quality honking.

5. When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as we are strong.

The most productive outcomes occur when each member helps out the other so that their combined efforts will create the best result because no one person had to do it all. This is similar to multi level marketing.

When we're 'in charge', share the position, don't get power hungry, and ask for input from others. When we are not 'in charge', offer to help, carry your own weight. In either case, say thanks to others involved. Cheer each other on when the going gets rough. Maybe if we offer encouragement right from the start, it may not even get rough!

If a friend ever gets frustrated, feels overwhelmed, and wants to quit, the best thing you can do for them is quality HONK!

Use these principles over and over again. It will not only lift your mood but help you to develop commitment to peak performance within yourself and within your teams.