Lessons
From Geese
This was transcribed from
a speech given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991 Organizational Development Network,
based on the work of Milton Olson.
Fact 1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the birds that follow. By
flying in “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if
each bird flew alone.
Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of
community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are
traveling on the thrust of one another.
Fact 2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly
feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back into
formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in
front of it.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we stay in
formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept
their help, and give our help to others.
Fact 3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into
the formation and another goose flies to the point
position.
Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and
sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent on each
other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or
resources. 
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage
those in front to keep up their speed.
Lesson: We need to make sure our honking is
encouraging. The power of encouragement (to stand by one’s heart or core
values and encourage the heart and core values of others) is the quality of
honking we seek.
Fact 5: When a goose gets sick, wounded or shot down, two
geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help or protect it. They
stay with it until it dies or is able to fly again. Then they launch out
with another formation or catch up with the flock.
Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand
by each other in difficult times as well as when we are
strong.
Angeles Arrien is the author of The Four-Fold Way: Walking
the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer, and Visionary (Harper San Francisco)
and Signs of Life: The Five Universal Shapes and How to Use Them (Arcus
Publishing). To find out more about her workshops and tapes you may write
to: Angeles Arrien, Ph.D.,
14 NEW DIMENSIONS, Spring,
1995