INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK

12 OCTOBER 2000
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FOR LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS

The Sense of a Goose

In spring, when you see geese migrating for the summer and flying in a V-formation, you may be interested to know what scientists have discovered 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 gains at least 71% greater flying ability than if each bird flew on its own.

Basic truth #1: People who share a common direction get where they are going more quickly and more easily when they are travelling on the trust of one another.

When 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 uplifting power of the birds immediately in front of it.

Basic truth #2: If we have even as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed in the same way we are going.

When the lead goose gets tired, he or she rotates to the back and another goose takes up the lead.

Basic truth #3: It pays to take turns doing difficult tasks.

The geese honk from behind to encourage those in front to keep up their speed or to reduce it.

Basic truth #4: We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind.

Finally, when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots or falls out of formation, two geese immediately fall out from the formation and fly down to help and protect the one in trouble. They stay with the goose until it is able to fly again, or until it dies.

Basic truth #5: If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by one another.