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Lessons From Geese
This was transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991
Organizational Development Network, based on the work of Milton Olson:
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the
birds that follow. By flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71%
greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
Lesson: 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 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: 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 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Lesson: 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 arrangements of gifts, talents or
resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those in front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. The power of
encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core values and encourage the
heart and core values of others) is the quality of honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two geese drop
out of formation and follow it down to help or 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: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Angeles Arrien is the author of The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of
the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (Harper San Francisco) and
Signs of Life: The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them (Arcus
Publishing). To find out more about her workshops and tapes you may
write to: Angeles Arrien, Ph.D., P.O. Box 2077, Sausalito, CA 94966
14 NEW DIMENSIONS, Spring, 1995
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