Lessons from Geese
Geese provide a perfect example of
teamwork and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form
of personal or business endeavor. When we use these five principles in
our personal and business life, it will help us to foster and encourage a
level of passion and energy in ourselves, as well as those who are our
friends, associates or team members.
It is essential to remember that teamwork happens inside and
outside of business life when it is continually nurtured and encouraged.
Lesson 1 - The Importance of Achieving Goals: As each goose flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the birds
that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds 71
percent extra to the flying range. Outcome; When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and
can help each other to achieve our goals.
Lesson 2 - The Importance of Teamwork: When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and
resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of
the lifting power of the birds in front. Outcome; If we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with
those headed where we want to go. We would accept their help
and give our help to others.
Lesson 3 - The Importance of Sharing: When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation
and another goose flies to the point position.
Outcome: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect
and protect each others unique arrangement of skills, capabilities,
talents and resources.
Lesson 4 - The Importance of Empathy and
Understanding:
When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow
it down to the ground to help and protect it.
Outcome: If we have as much sense as geese we will stand
by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.
Lesson 5 - The Importance of Encouragement: Geese flying in formation 'HONK' to encourage those up front to keep
up with their speed. Outcome: We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and
teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater.
"Individual
empowerment results from quality honking." Author Unknown
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What Leaders are Reading
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni - Once again using an
astutely written fictional tale to unambiguously but painlessly deliver some
hard truths about critical business procedures, Patrick Lencioni targets group
behavior in the final entry of his trilogy of corporate fables. And like those
preceding it, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is an entertaining, quick read
filled with useful information that will prove easy to digest and implement.
Start with WHY: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by
Simon Sinek - Sinek identifies a powerful idea he calls The Golden Circle, and it provides a framework
upon which organizations can be built, movements can be led, and people can be
inspired. And it all starts with WHY.
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