Synergy- Why do geese fly in a V formation? June 10, 2006
Posted by humairah in General, Laws of nature, Management.trackback
As the geese take flight from the Canadian shoreline, they lift off from the water in squawking discourse. Yet, in a matter of seconds, a line begins to emerge from the mass of brown feathers. This line straightens, arches slightly, and then, as on cue, bends sharply to form a perfect V shape. Canada geese fly in V formation for a very pragmatic reason: a flock of geese flying in formation can move faster and maintain flight longer than any one goose flying alone. Synergy is a law of nature.
What is synergy? How does it relate to leadership?
We have a lot to learn from these geese.
- By flying in "V " formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.
=>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. - Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
=>If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are heading in the same as we are. - When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point.
=> It pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people or with flying geese. - These geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
=> We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind. - Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group.
=> If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other, protect one another and sometimes make new friends who seem to be going in our direction.
Synergy is best explained as, 'One plus one equals more than two'. Today's world requires a critical mass of transformational leaders who will commit to creating a synergy of energy within their circle of influence so new level of social, economic, organizational and spiritual success can be reached. Synergy helps you realise the value of others, and secondly, encourages you to find the right people. Synergy is a dynamic form of leverage. Avoid using it, and end up working four times as hard for half the results. Use it and watch the results expand exponentially!
In an upcoming article, I will talk about the 7 principles of transformational leadership.
Feels like I just got Goosed
I think we need to take our seats–all of them–in our
state legislatures and in Congress.
And if we will do this together, all of us recruiting more and still more
candidates for the ’08 cycle together, and then run together, speaking together from the heart, we will achieve adulthood….
It’s called “self-government”. It’s called meeting our responsibilities…
to democracy at this crucial time.
Denny Morrisseau
Lieutenant Morrisseau’s Rebellion
dmorso@netzero.net
dmorso
The Goose Story (more accurately the Goose Myth).
This myth was invented by management consultants to support their model of organisational structures.
The real facts are that birds always follow the same leader (or pair of leaders in some case). This applies to formation flyers such as geese, birds that sometimes fly in formation but not always such as pelicans and birds that never fly in formation such as homing pigeons.
There is an aerodynamic benefit in V formation but geese do not form the right shape V to get the full benefit. Their formation compromises aerodynamic benefit with the greater security from a formation that provides greater visibility.
I have read all the Dr Dolittle books and the geese never claimed that their honking was encouragement. I have been unable to find a more reliable translotor of the goose language. My personal opinion is that the honking comes from juvenile geese and means “Are we there yet, are we there yet?”
Th Library of Congress used to carry this myth on their website until I challenged them to check their references and they have since removed any mention of change of leadership as it cannot be confirmed.
Pre-internet sources from the 19th and 20th centuries, including much US and Canadian Government funded research confirm that the same one or two geese always lead the formation. They are variously dubbed as ‘pilots’ or, in 19th century records ‘captains’ which named the leader of the front V as the ‘Admiral’. The myth arose early in the life of the www and has spread in the same way urban myths spread.
Agreed
I do not think that geese honk to encourage the other geese. It is not very common for geese to think the way we do. I believe that geese honk to let the front goose know if anyone falls behind or if he is going to fast. Geese honking to encourage is not a very logical reason. And how could scientist know what they are saying. I am a hunter and I call the geese, and ducks in so i can hunt them. I study what i hear from them and it doesn’t seem to be encouraging. That is just what i believe. If you think any different let me know. I will be comming back to this site often to see what you think.
have a video clips
Please send me a picture of the geese flying in a V formation
[...] When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. => It pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people or with flying geese. full article & other goosy aerodynamic trivia: >> Synergy- Why do geese fly in a V formation? Leadership in Perspective [...]
I am surprising how geese fly it is very nice.
I want to have picture of flying geese to the right, I only get flying to the left. If you have it please send me.
thanks
I can’t believe how some people always have some negative interpretation of facts or legends or myths. The point of the story is not about the geese… Get the message. I can’t speak for this particular author but I can speak as a management consultant. People pulling in the same direction accomplish their goal faster than those who pull in many different directions (physics). The main problem I have experienced is the goal is often not planned very well so…
The second message – stay in formation – in business advises people to “not rock the boat”, “follow the leader” etc… I have observed that this discourages people from speaking up when they see a problem. I encourage everyone to speak up when they see a problem but they must suggest a solution – no fair just complaining.
The third message – to share the workload – simply means to allocate the work so the project completes within the appropriate timeframe. Sometimes it is counter-productive to employ two “experts” to a job one is capable of doing.
The fourth message I’ll interpret as encouragement. Whether geese do it or not showing sincere appreciation goes a long way to keeping people motivated.
The final message I see in two ways – cohesive team and loyalty. I like the cohesive team idea. Loyalty often suggests going along with something you don’t agree with for the sake of the team. I prefer the idea of raising an issue with an alternative solution…
In conclusion, I prefer to take the good from what is said rather than complain about what is wrong with what is said. But a positive alternative interpretation is always beneficial…it can be evaluated against the goal and adopted or dismissed.
I believe that even the best well-known orthinologist will never be able to understand why birds fly in certain formations. Only when man can actually communicate with the geese should we then be able to understand the mystery behind it. And maybe it’s the unique flight formation that protects them from other big birds of prey like the eagles.
I had a secondary mystery explained to me by a hick neighbor. We were out walking and saw geese overhead. I asked why, if formation was mere exploitation of aerodynamics, one side of the “V” was always longer than the other. He said, “More geese on that side.”
Is their a leadership book that has this “V” story in it?
It is called ‘The Flight of the Buffalo’
There has to be a reason why the gees formation is always V and not any other way. If by some strange means “nature” has given them the sense to use the V formation, as well as to know when to and where to go to in time for the weather changes, then I would be surprised if the same “nature” would not endow them with more unknown means such as honking in such a great time of need as when they have to travel long distances.
The simple fact is that animals in the wild are as smart and as able as they need to be to survive. In the case of “prey species” – like the goose – safety and success lie in the cooperation of the flock. Even in the case of a predator species, cooperation can mean an exponential increase in success. An excellent example is the Harris’ hawk, a native of the American Southwest. This raptor stays together as a family – last year’s offspring stay to help raise this year’s offspring – and they hunt as a group. A lion in the wild has about a 10% success rate each time it attempts to obtain a meal; the Harris’ hawk has about a 90% success rate. A wild animal’s behavior is about survival; human behavior has become all about something else. We have much to learn from nature. Our large brain may be an advantage in some respects, but it also may have resulted in our forgetting where we came from and why we may be here in the first place.
wether it is myth or fact geese have something over the human species in terms of working effectively and effiently for the good of the team. with a more positive outcome than most humans achieve.
why
[...] I saw & heard these Canada geese honkin’ across the sky above me…here’s the scientific bit about how they get better lift & stay in touch with each other, flying in that precise V [...]
Why would geese be flying in a V- formation in June 6th heading north what the heck would they have there goslings by now, there was about 25 of them.
the concept is basically about synergy and pooling of resources to achieve a given task, instead of individuals working as units…
it is an interesting piece as far as I am concerned…
if anyone has a contrary stands, please let such a person back it up with empirical facts
Tuesday, August 3rd
Here is today’s The Word For Today devotional with Bob Gass…
What’s Good For The Goose (1)
“Look at the birds in the sky!… ” – Matthew 6:26 CEV
Speaking to an anxiety-ridden crowd, Jesus said, ‘I tell you not to worry about your life… Look at the birds in the sky!’ You say, ‘What can I learn from looking at a bunch of birds?’ If you’ve ever been to Pennsylvania in early winter, you’ll have seen the skies literally darken as multitudes of Canadian geese gather for their annual flight to the sunny south. For the next few days let’s look at their behaviour, and learn from it.
Geese fly united; they don’t fly separately, in random style, because no goose alone can go that distance. They’re designed to fly in their characteristic ‘V’ formation. When a bird flaps its wings the air movement created provides an uplift, easing the workload of the bird behind it. Together, their flight range increases about 71 per cent. Even the youngest, weakest and oldest geese can make the trip. They accomplish together what they could never accomplish separately. There’s a lesson here: when the Bible says, ‘Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another… ‘ (Hebrews 10:25 NIV), it means, ‘Stay in fellowship with one another, and enjoy the uplift it provides.’ You’re not called to fly solo. ‘The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”‘ (1 Corinthians 12:21 NIV). Occasionally a goose strays off on its own but soon becomes exhausted, loses altitude and ultimately pulls wearily back into the formation. ‘Look at the birds’, and learn.
Wednesday, August 4th
Here is today’s The Word For Today devotional with Bob Gass…
What’s Good For The Goose (2)
“Look at the birds in the sky!… ” – Matthew 6:26 CEV
Every formation has to have a ‘point goose’ out front, who leads and sets the pace for the others. It’s a tough position because the point goose cuts the headwinds, meets the changing weather conditions, and is first to feel the rain in his face, the snow in his eyes and the ice on his wings. He keeps the formation on target whatever the situation. It’s hard, exhausting and lonely at times because there’s nobody ahead of him to be the wind beneath his wings. The formation depends on him to persevere, stay on track and get the skein safely to its destination.
Every church has its point goose: the pastor. Each department has its point geese: youth, finance, evangelism, care ministries, and so on. They lead, set the pace and give direction to those who follow. There are two common roles in the church: the under-employed and the over-functioning. Point ministries are the latter, so they tend to burn out frequently. Just before the point goose is exhausted, a space opens in the formation and he slips back into it while another bird replaces him, seamlessly becoming the next point goose. Standing in for each other preserves the life of the formation. This is what Paul meant: ‘The whole body [is] held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part… ‘ (Ephesians 4:16 NAS). Don’t be content to be a consumer; instead, be a producer! A great church isn’t about paid staff; rather, it’s about volunteers willing to stand in whenever needed.
Thursday, August 5th
Here is today’s The Word For Today devotional with Bob Gass…
What’s Good For The Goose (3)
“Look at the birds in the sky!… ” – Matthew 6:26 CEV
In the world of geese, the aged, very young, and infirm are kept protected in the rear of the formation. But they aren’t isolated, discounted or considered useless; in fact they fulfil a vital role. They become the honking section and cheer for the leaders. Inevitably, bad weather threatens the mission. The going gets tough and the tough are struggling. From the rear of the formation a lone honk sounds, initiating a geese chorus honking encouragement to the point goose. Paul understood this: ‘… Encourage one another and build each other up… ‘ (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV). He knew we need a ‘honking section’ supporting us with uplifting words and prayer. We need those who say, ‘We are behind you. We’ve got your back covered!’ ‘But… you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good’ (2 Thessalonians 3:13 NKJV). Many a servant of Christ has crossed their deepest valley on a wing, a prayer and a honk from some oldscarred, battle-hardened, straggle-feathered, half-bald honker of encouragement who was too stubborn to let a brother or sister quit on their watch! Occasionally, a strident, out-of-tune goose complains loudly and irritatingly. Within moments the honking section kicks in, drowning out the grumbler, restoring order and unity. The church’s problem isn’t too many people speaking negatively, it’s too few speaking positively! When someone cries, ‘defeat’, honk back, ‘victory’ When they cry, ‘fear’, honk back, ‘faith’. A few words of encouragement can overpower a storm of complaints. So join the honking section and be known like Barnabas, whose name means ‘Son of Encouragement’ (Acts 4:36NIV).
Friday, August 6th
Here is today’s The Word For Today devotional with Bob Gass…
What’s Good For The Goose (4)
“Look at the birds in the sky!… ” – Matthew 6:26 CEV
With geese, their relationship is ’till death do us part’. They take it seriously. They’re fully committed. When the ravages of time or circumstances make it impossible for a bird to continue the trip and it begins to lose altitude or fails to keep abreast of the formation, the gaggle provides it with comfort, nurture and protection. Two strong geese leave the formation, flying with the ‘patient’ safely between them, find a sheltered location with food and water and make a home for the needy bird. They’ll stay with their ward until it either recovers or dies, before joining another formation. For them, everything goes ‘on hold’ to care for another bird! What an example of Christ-like relationship and self-sacrificing love. ‘… God has combined the members of the body… that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it… ‘ (1 Corinthians 12:24-26 NIV). In today’s culture we discount and marginalise the needy, including those no longer functioning as they once did. But God demands that we ‘have equal concern for each other’, especially with those suffering. If a gaggle of birds can do it, surely God’s family ought to do it too. ‘Look at the birds in the sky!’ Jesus directs. If they can do it for each other, ‘… Aren’t you worth more than birds?’ (Matthew 6:26 CEV). One of the two greatest commandments (not suggestions) Christ gave us is, ‘… Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater… ‘ (Mark 12:31 NIV). When word circulates that we love each other in this way, they’ll beat down the doors of our church to get in!
Sure thing Monica. Ever see the two geese that drop out of formation with the shot goose perform surgery like a M,A,S,H. unit, or a team of miners rescue trapped workersfrom a cave in. Yup your’re right. Those loveable animals have us dumb infighting humans beat every time, Maybe they’ll beat us to Mars. IS this a scientific site? I’ve never seen so much speculation self debasement and cliche.
Do you know why one side of the V is longer than the other side of the V?
There are more geese in the one side
Quote: “Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group.”
What a bunch of hooey! Whoever wrote this knows NOTHING about geese (or ducks for that matter). This is PC bullshit and nothing more, spewed by someone who’s obviously never been on the marsh and actually observed waterfowl, whether Canada Geese, Specklebellies, Snows, Ross’s or Brant.
As someone who’s spent the last 42+ years on the marsh, and observed many, many thousands of geese, I can only conclude that the writer of the above passage doesn’t know a damned thing about waterfowl. What he wrote, the quote I listed above, is a total crock of BS, plain and simple.
is the leader goose appointed, selected, voted or how do the geese come by a leader?
what brings them into formation
Juanita, here is some really good information about the geese flying formation.
I am doing a study for wmu on leadership and I am to use the geese as an example. WHICH IS VERY INTERESTING! I do not understand why some people don’t get it. GOD created everything and the animals have a special place with GOD. The Bible says he takes care of them. I’m sure HE taught them how to fly and where to fly to. Why do we question the CREATOR? Do we know more that HE does about HIS creation? I THINK NOT!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION.
I really liked the Word For Today with Bob Gass!
To the hunter who knows all, maybe you were not looking in the right place at the right time!
I would like to know, what is the angle at the vertex of the formation? Is there an average distance the V formation travels before the lead drops back and is replaced by another goose?
Is it possible the V formation is simply to avoid the crap from the bird in front of them?
How many geese form in the average or normal V formation?
IT IS TRULY A MIRACLE TO NOT ONLY WITNESS GEESE MIGRATING IN ANY DIRECTION, BUT, TO WITNESS GEESE FLYING VERTICALLY ABOVE ME – AS IF TO SAY HELLO AND SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It actually used to be a entertainment account it. Look complicated to far delivered agreeable from you! By the way, how can we keep up a correspondence?