When geese take over our favourite city parks, complaints about geese start to rise.  Geese do make a mess after all… but geese can teach us a few things about life in general,or good business management.

In the fall when geese are getting ready to migrate, they line up in formation on the water, before they take off.  That could be considered as a proactive planning.

Geese also make short ‘practice’ flights before they begin their longer migrations.  In my estimation, that’s a trial run.  Smart.

In the air, we all know why geese fly in formation –to save energy.  The lead goose at the front of the ‘V’ expends the most effort to ‘break’ the air.  Each bird in the sequence flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance for all birds in the ‘V’.  The entire flock can fly further than they could if there were no formation. Team work and cooperation.  Something else we can learn from.

When the lead goose tires, the next strongest goose will rotate in to the lead position.  Don’t overtax your leadership.  Put your best goose forward, so to speak.

Geese honk at each other while flying.  The reasons why are known only to the geese I am sure, but it seems to be communication to signal changes in the line-up.  Personally, I believe the honking also serves to encourage each other. The migrations are long…  Well, that’s just being nice.

Geese take care of each other.  If a goose falls ill, or is shot, two other geese will drop out of the formation and land with their comrade.  Those two will provide protection until the fallen goose recovers, or dies.  The protectors will then join up with another flock.  Consideration, help, caring, and integration;  not bad qualities for any person, or business, to engage in.

Finally, when geese sleep, only one half of their brain is actually asleep.  The other half stays alert to watch out for predators and threats.  Hmm,  not sure if we can master that one.

Straight ahead, and in formation is the latest installment of Contentment is for Cows.

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