I was driving through my neighborhood recently, past a field waiting to be planted, and noticed a single goose, industriously pecking at the dirt looking for grubs and other yummies. More importantly, this goose appeared to be alone. I didn’t see any other geese nearby. Hmmm…
It’s not unusual to see geese in my neck of the woods; Canadian geese to be exact. Wisconsin is a great migratory location, and the exit and re-entry every year signals the changing of the season. Many times, I see massive gaggles flying overhead in their trademark “V” formation, and groups settled into a winter-abandoned field foraging for a last meal before their long trip. I remember as a child the excitement of counting how many geese were in formation flying overhead…such a fun way to learn my numbers! Did you know on land they’re called a gaggle, but in flight they’re called a skein, team or wedge? Who knew!? But this solo goose really got me thinking about geese, teamwork…and feeling kind of bad that the poor thing appeared to be abandoned.
Goose Efficiency
Geese are often used as analogy for teamwork. You see, geese travel in gaggles (or skeins). When in flight, they make a V formation. As a goose flaps its wings, it creates updraft for the goose behind it and increases its efficiency…to the tune of over 70% according to some scientists! Can you imagine any team you’ve ever been on being 70% better if perhaps you’d worked together like geese?
Missing the Updraft
Now, imagine the goose that’s falling behind. It just can’t seem to get the updraft. Have you ever had that happen on your team; one person just can’t seem to pull their weight? Too often we look to the person as being a slacker. Do we ever look to ourselves to see if we’re creating the right updraft to help them catch up? If we are the one falling behind, do we do everything we can to get back into the draft?
New Leader, New Energy
When the head goose gets tired, it falls to the back and another takes lead. Sometimes fresh energy is just what the doctor ordered to be better, stronger, faster, and go the distance. I think sometimes we get so wrapped in hustle, day in and day out, we forget that it’s o.k. to take a rest and let someone else lead. A rest is needed to regain energy and passion.
Honking for Success
What I really love is when you hear a whole skein of geese, flying overhead, just a-honkin’ up a storm. They’re cheering each other on – GO! GO! GO! YOU’VE GOT THIS! YOU’RE STRONG! KEEP FLAPPING! When was the last time you focused on positively cheering someone on? What kind of message are YOU sending to your family, friends, co-workers? Are you a positive honker?
Now, here’s why I feel bad about the goose I saw. It was alone. When one goose isn’t well or is injured, two more fall out of formation to protect the ill goose. They stay with that goose until it can fly again, or it dies. Period. They don’t leave. Do you do that for your family? Friends? Co-workers? Stick with them until the end?
I recently taught a course to assisted living providers. As usually happens, conversation turned to residents, specifically those with mental illness or dementia, whose families and friends sometimes abandon them at the care communities, and how as providers we can better create that family-like feeling in communities. Tragic, really. I can’t fathom walking away when someone is most in need of love and support. During the course, I shared the story of the goose I’d seen and asked them, “Are you honking for your residents?” I think it was just enough food for thought to send them off to be stronger and better at what they do every day…creating the updraft for their residents.
What do you think? How do your teams function? Are they honking each other to success, or abandoning the team to the field? Love to hear your thoughts on this old-time analogy. Comment below!
