I had a very uplifting day yesterday and while I'm not going to share all of it, this part rang so true that if begs to be brought to the community's attention.
My son had an old scrapbook that I'd gotten at a thriftshop. I figured it was unused as the first few pages were empty. Upon closer inspection as he started to fill the pages, he found writing on a page where photos probably had been.
An unknown, to us, person had written on a page of trips to Bemidji, MN. and how she'd not been frightened of flying as the gentleman next to her talked, a lot! She mentioned his name and upon Googling it, I found this little gem. I don't know if it's the same person she sat next to or not, it's rich though. Without further ado, I give you a glimpse of a speech given by Angeles Arrien, using Milton's work.
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LESSONS FROM GEESE
FACT 1:
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an "uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a "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 out 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 up front to keep up their speed.
LESSON:
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups where there is encouragement, the production is much greater. The power of encouragement (to stand by one's heart or core values and encourage the heart and core 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 and 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.
"Lessons from Geese" was transcribed from a speech given by Angeles Arrien at the 1991 Organizational Development Network and was based on the work of Milton Olson. It circulated to Outward Bound staff throughout the United States. We share it in hoping that we can learn from these lessons.
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