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The geese really get it! Let us explain . . .
In the fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter, you might notice something remarkable. They fly in a “V” formation. There’s a reason for that. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately behind it. By flying together in formation, the flock can travel up to 71% farther than if each bird flew alone. But the lessons don’t stop there.
When a goose slips out of formation, it immediately feels the drag and resistance of flying solo. The extra effort reminds it why the formation matters, so it quickly moves back into position to benefit from the lift of the birds ahead. When the lead goose gets tired, it doesn’t stubbornly stay in front. It rotates back, and another goose takes the lead. And the geese in the back? They honk to encourage those up front to keep up the pace.
One final detail makes these geese even more inspiring. When a goose becomes sick or wounded and falls out of formation, two other geese leave the flock and follow it to the ground. They stay with the injured goose until it recovers or dies. Only then do they launch again either to rejoin their flock or to find another formation.
In many ways, humans are remarkably like geese. When we travel together, we go farther and faster than we ever could alone. We need encouragement along life’s journey, whether it’s a pat on the back, a word of appreciation, or an encouraging email (though probably not a honk on the road). We’re built for connection, and we long to belong. Geese are defined by how they stay connected to one another, and humans are defined the same way.
