Teamwork makes the dream work: The legend of the Geese!

The Legend of the Geese is a clever piece of written work which takes characteristics of migrating geese and applies it to human behaviour and teamwork! Regularly presented and seminars, training days it is often cited as “auther unknown” but this well researched piece of work. Lessons from the Geese, was written in 1972 by Dr Robert McNeish of Baltimore. Dr McNeish, was a science teacher before he became involved in school administration, had been intrigued with observing geese for years and first wrote the piece for a sermon he delivered in his church! From opening the eyes and broadening the horizons of young people his teachings then opened the eye’s of the world to effective teamwork!

So, as the saying goes "If you can read this, thank a teacher!" and if you have previously heard this the same thing goes!!

When you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation, you might be interested in knowing what was discovered about why they fly that way.

FACT: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift" for the birds that follows. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.

People who share a common direction and sense a community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

FACT: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies to the point position. It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

As with geese, people are interdependent on each others skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

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

We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement is the quality of honking we seek.

FACT: 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 or catch up with the flock.

If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong. If we follow the example of the geese, we will stand by each other through difficulties and challenges.

So it seems Teamwork really does make the dream work!

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