Leadership Principles from Geese

The Management Moments series by Doug Dickerson is a weekly column designed to bring inspiration to those in the workplace and beyond.

Geese teach us that individual talent, as impressive as it may be, will only be multiplied when one joins forces with others. Courtesy: democracycellproject.net

(CHARLESTON, S.C.) - At this time of the year it’s not uncommon to see the geese flying across the evening sky. One of the pleasures of where I work is a reflection pond where many of them have found a home.

One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that leadership lessons can be found all around us if we are paying attention. As Yoggi Berra once mused, “You can learn a lot by watching.”

Tom Worsham in “Are you a Goose” shares a fascinating story about geese that reflects a lot on leadership principles.

He writes, “When you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a “V” formation, you might be interested in knowing that science has discovered why they fly that way. Research has revealed that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately behind it. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent 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. It 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 in the “V” and another goose flies the point.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. And finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunfire and falls out, two other geese fall 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 dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. Whoever was the first to call another person a “silly goose” didn’t know enough about geese.”

Leadership lessons from the geese can be helpful in the workplace. Allow me to share a few observations of what we can learn.

First, the geese teach us that we can accomplish more when we work together as a team. Individual talent, as impressive as it may be, will only be multiplied when that person joins forces with others.

Greg Werner observed, “The life of a high achiever is one of give and receive. We receive that which we are first willing to give out. Therefore, to grow and achieve we must first be willing to help others grow and achieve, and, in doing so, the light of reciprocal achievement will brightly shine upon us.”

People who share a common vision, mission, and purpose, like the geese, attain that goal faster and more efficiently when they work together. Just as the geese generate thrust as they travel together, your teams’ thrust will allow you to accomplish more when you stay together.

Second, we accomplish more when we work in unity. Solidarity of mission and purpose gives strength to the goals of the organization and make attaining them more realistic and attainable. An African proverb wisely states, “When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion.”

The geese teach us that staying in formation gives lift and makes going it alone a drag. The pride of team accomplishments diminishes as the desire to wing it by ourselves fades. When a team member tires and falls out of formation, other team members move quickly and decisively to help their friend. Unity in the workplace is defined not by the slaps on the back when it succeeds, but in lifting up a teammates hand when he is down. A unified team wants everyone to succeed.

Finally, the geese teach us that someone has to take the lead and someone has to honk from behind. Each team member brings different skills and abilities to accomplish the goals. On any given project, you may be the point man to bring the team to victory.

On another project someone else may have the right talents and skills to accomplish the mission, and therefore you must fly in formation from the back; honking your support with enthusiasm. Katharine Butler Hathaway said, “There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.”

The geese teach us to work as a team, work together in unity, share the hard jobs when it comes to leading, and honk from behind to encourage others.

What does your honk say about you?