Workplace "Lessons from Geese"
Years ago, I heard the creative prose “Lessons from Geese” at a fund-raising social event. The speaker identified the author as anonymous. Thanks to the Internet, I have since read credible documentation attributing the lessons to Dr. Robert McNeish, former Associate. Superintendent of Baltimore Public Schools, 1972.
I have often thought of “Lessons from Geese,” especially during the fall of the year. In the Midwest, we have the pleasure of watching the V-shaped flying formation of large flocks of Canadian geese leave Minnesota for their southern winter homes. Dr. McNeish observed the migratory behavior of geese and penned a beautiful prose on teamwork. It is not a big leap to see how it applies to workplaces.
5 teamwork "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 70% greater flying range than if each bird flew alone.
- Lesson #1: 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 #2: 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 # 3: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. As with geese, people are inter-dependent on each other’s skills, capabilities and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, and resources.
Fact 4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
- Lesson # 4: We need to make sure 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 # 5: If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Most businesses have employees who bring their own talents, attitude and knowledge to the job. They also bring their personal lives. Even though work life is generally supposed to be separate from home life, we know it isn’t 100% possible. If an employee is up half the night with a sick child, he or she isn’t going to be 100% focused when they come to work the next day. If an employee’s spouse is laid off from a job, the employee is going to be experiencing extra stressors which may affect their work..jpg)
Many legal bloggers have wondered about the direction of the post-Bush .jpg)
Today is Veteran’s Day. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the individuals currently serving in the various branches of the military and all the veterans who served in the past. We owe you a huge debt of gratitude for your commitment to this Country.
Tomorrow is Election Day as I’m sure everyone is well aware based on the campaign advertisements which have been dominating the airwaves and mailboxes lately. The polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. So, how should employers handle it when employees want to vote during the work day?
