“Leadership Lessons from Geese”

"Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." Hebrews 10:23-25

While I reading my devotional this morning I heard geese honking as they flew over my house. That reminded me about the unique nature of geese in how they support one another. I found this article that says it all.

“Leadership Lessons from Geese”

To show the importance of teamwork, we can take examples from the lives of geese:

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

Lesson 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.

Fact: 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 2: 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.

Fact: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.

Lesson 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each other’s skill, capabilities, and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.

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

Lesson 4: We need to make sure that our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s core values, and to encourage the core values of others) is the quality of honking we seek.

Fact: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot, 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 or catch up with the flock.

Lesson 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

"Honk Honk - Leadership Lessons from Geese"

Too often in today's society we are not taught to support one another. We are taught to think only of ourselves, how far we can advance in whatever we're doing to be #1 and to use people to get you to that goal. Look at Hollywood for example. They love celebrities as long as they do, act and look like they want them to. Even when they behave badly they glorify them. And yet, as you see many young lives get eaten up by Hollywood you don't see Hollywood supporting them unless they make the news through tragedy, rehab or succeeding in making them money. It's a sad day when I look around and see so many people in need of love and hurting but feel all alone.

Next time you hear geese honking look up and watch them. It's not often that you see one struggling all alone behind the flock. Normally they are all flying in a V formation together as one. If one falls behind because of illness or injury others will fly with it to encourage and help it until it is well enough to join the flock once more. No one is left behind. No one is alone. Even the leaders are support by the honking you hear. The honks help encourage the leader to press forward. If he tires he falls back and allows others to lead the way for a while.

How is your honking lately? Are you just sitting there silently allowing those beside you to fall out of formation and be left behind? Are you willing to be the one that honks others on? Or the one who falls out of formation to come along side the one in need?

Have you honked lately? If not, start honking!

Krista Jones
8.31.08

Bible Reading Guide:

Beginning to End: John 11-12
Old and New Testaments Together: Jer. 46-47 & Hebrews 6
Historical: Mark 10-11
Chronological: Matthew 26 & Mark 14
Blended: Ezra 6-8 & 2 Tim. 3

The Bible reading guides will be taken from Back to the Bible