This fall, when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in “V” formation, you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way.

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock has at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

When a goose flies out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front of it. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation, and another goose flies to the point position.

The geese flying in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. When a goose gets sick, wounded, or shot down, two geese follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it dies or is able to fly again. Then, they launch out of their own or with another formation to catch up with their flock.

There are lessons we may learn from the geese. People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. If we have as much common 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. It is harder to do something alone than together.

It is sensible to take turns doing the hard and demanding tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are interdependent of each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents or resources.

In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement is the quality of honking we seek. We need to make sure our honking is encouraging and not discouraging.

Last, if we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by our colleagues and each other in difficult times as well as in good times. Let’s remember the lessons geese teach us.

Happy holiday!