By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater

flying range than if each bird flew alone.

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 each other.

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.

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.

When the lead bird tires, it rotates back into the formation

 to take advantage of the lifting power of the

bird immediately in front of it.

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

 As with geese, people are interdependent on each others' skills,capabilities,

 and unique arrangements of gifts, talents, or resources.

The geese flying in formation honk to encourage

 those up front to keep up their speed.

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 to

 encourage the heart and core values of others)

 is the quality of honking we seek.

 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.

If we have as much sense of geese, we will stand by each other

 in difficult times as well as when we're strong.