I like to approach my blogging from a different point of view. Today it’s taking some lessons from our feathered friends!

This is an interesting piece of work based on the work of Milton Olson. I stumbled across it again today by accident and it resonated so strongly that I just had to share it.

Goose Fact 1
As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock has 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Lesson for business
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are travelling on the thrust of each other.

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

Lesson for business
If we have as much sense as a goose, 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.

Goose Fact 3
When the lead bird tires, it rotates back into the formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it.

Lesson for business
It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skills, capabilities, and unique arrangement of gifts, talents, or resources.

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

Lesson for business
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and to encourage the heart and core values of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Goose Fact 5
When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out with another formation to catch up with the flock.

Lesson for business
If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we’re strong.

That’s exactly my skills within employee engagement. I'm an extra goose joining your flock just when you need that little extra uplift. You don’t need to fly alone. This goose has some special skills that will not only keep you moving forward but ensure that you’re in the best shape to take advantage of current conditions.

I love getting under the skin of my clients’ businesses and delivering that little bit extra which makes all the difference – sometimes it might just be a cheerful honk!

With my range of expertise I'll pick you up and keep you flying!

Note: Lessons from Geese was transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arien at the 1991 Organizational Development Network. It was based on the work of Milton Olson. It circulated to Outward Bound staff throughout the United States.