The Goose Principle

Consider the goose—a seemingly ordinary bird.  Many of us have seen a flock of them flying in "V" formation.  Have you ever wondered why?

Staying together in their tight formation a flock of geese can fly 70% farther than a single goose flying alone!  The leader, the point of the “V”, takes the full force of wind resistance, making the going easier for the rest.  When the leader tires, another takes its place, then another, so that no one goose has to constantly expend its energy for the sake of the flock.

If one goose becomes injured and cannot keep up with the flock, two other geese will stay with it until it either dies or is well again.  The geese do not abandon their own!

We, too, are taught to act like geese.  Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reminds us that “two are better than one . . .for if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow:  but woe to him that is alone when he falls; for he has not another to help him up.”

Every organization in which I have been a member (church, homeschool support groups, Boy Scouts, Little League, Daughters of the American Revolution, etc.) is kept alive by a handful who are willing to lead the rest.  And just like leading a flock of geese, after a time leaders "burn out" if no one is willing to step up and take a turn leading, in order to allow the point man or woman time to recharge batteries.

Imagine how much more could be accomplished in our organizations if all the members took their turns at leadership, or at least being more actively involved.  Just as geese fly in their formation, our groups will keep soaring if we take turns serving one another in leadership roles.  Instead of being "takers" who are only concerned about our own desires, we can invest ourselves in the success of the group by becoming "givers" and therefore care about the success of each individual, desiring that no one burns out and falls from the formation.

Unlike a flock of mindless sheep following whichever way the majority drifts, a formation of geese works together with a specific goal or direction in mind, even calling out encouragement to one another while they're flying.

Honk if you plan to be a better goose while flying in your formation….

Geese I saw in Branson, MO a few years ago.