Lessons on TEAM WORK from the birds

On a Sunday morning as I was enjoying my first cup of coffee. I looked through my window at the blue sky and was enjoying the quiet of the morning. I suddenly saw a flock of geese flying across the sky in V formation. Watching geese fly together is one of those moments of wonder and awe for me that connects me to the bigger world. Looking up at the geese, I remembered about the science and art of these flying formations – and what they can teach us about teamwork.

Have you looked at the birds flying in a V formation?

Four lessons that came to my mind are:

1. The V formation provides a lifting power for the geese as the flapping of their wings creates an uplift for the bird behind. Working together in this way makes their flight easier and faster than if they flew alone.
2. A bird that drops out of the formation works much harder on its own to fly against the resistance and drag created without benefit of the team of geese.
3. The geese honk from behind to encourage and support the leaders.
4. The lead position is very difficult and tiring. Geese will fly upfront to take the lead position when the leader becomes too fatigued.

In nature, when birds have to fly to a warmer climate in winter, they flock together and start their journey as a group. (Sense of PURPOSE and DIRECTION as a part of the team)

The success of the journey depends on the group: if an individual bird does not join the group, it cannot reach the destination on its own. (So, joining the team and being a part of it)

Birds fly in a particular formation, with an appropriate space between them as they fly. (Orderliness, structure and alignment)

If they fly too close to each other, their wings get entangled; they lose their balance and fall. (Individual spaces to be protected without encroaching upon)

If they remain too far from each other, the formation cannot be created properly, and they are not able to ride the currents of air, which help to propel them in their flight. (Appropriate CONNECTIVITY & TOGETHERNESS when and where needed)

Furthermore, the leader of the formation does not remain the leader throughout the whole flight, but moves back and allows another to take its place. (Formal LEADERSHIP and INFORMAL or SITUATIONAL LEADERS leading with or without a title)

This repositioning continues throughout the flight until the destination is reached, allowing individual birds to contribute to the success of the journey. (Switching or CHANGING roles, responsibility by being RESPONSIVE)

The key learnings here are TEAM WORK, COLLABORATION, ALIGNMENT and continuous ADJUSTMENT… with a PURPOSE.

"The reality of life is that we are individuals within a collective whole. Just like the birds, we are all a part of an unlimited Flight of Harmony."