“Look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.” –Proverbs 6:6, MESSAGE
We can learn many lessons from nature! When you see geese heading south for the winter, notice their V formation. Scientists have discovered that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in formation, the flock has a 70 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. We can learn some useful truths about leadership and teamwork from the geese.
Get to your destination with less effort.
People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they travel on the thrust of one another. Teamwork should not be forced. It should flow easily because everyone is committed to traveling in the same direction.
Stay on course.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone – and it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. If we start to stray from our course, the team will help us get back on track.
Share the front.
It’s tiring to be at the front, blazing the trail for everyone else. When the lead goose gets tired, it scoots back in formation and another goose takes the lead. With teamwork, you don’t have to be the one and only leader at all times. Share responsibility. It builds more confidence among the team.
Be careful with your horn.
We each have a “horn” and we need to be careful with how we honk from behind. The geese flying in the back of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Your words are one of the most powerful instruments in building people up or tearing them down. Use them well.
Protect one another.
When one goose falls out because of injury or whatever, two more leave the formation and stay with that goose until he rejoins the group. They act as protectors in the goose’s vulnerable and weakened state. We should stand by each other, protect one another and make new friends with those who are going in our direction.
This article was provided by our partner, Frank Damazio, Pastor of City Bible Church and the Chairman of Ministers Fellowship International, a fellowship of thousands of churches nationwide and around the world.
Pastor Mike Says 