Question

What teamwork lessons can we learn from the behaviour of Canada geese? How might you apply these lessons to any teamwork you do at college?
When geese fly in formation, we can't help but look up and marvel at their beauty.  Their behaviour also represents successful teamwork patterns that have evolved over time.  The V formation helps each follower goose derive energy from the flow field generated by the goose immediately ahead.  Every bird experiences lower drag and needs less energy to maintain speed.

Whenever a goose gets out of formation it tries to get back in.

Whenever a goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head. 

The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk, apparently to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out of line and stay with the wounded goose until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock.

Answer 1

The behavior of Canada geese teaches us important lessons. It not only tells us that team members are interdependent on skills, talents, and resources of one another, but also that as a team they can achieve much more than the sum of their individual achievements. If we look at each feature that is listed in the question, we find that each feature represents a lesson learnt.

1. The V formation helps each follower goose derive energy from the flow field generated by the goose immediately ahead. Every bird experiences lower drag and needs less energy to maintain speed. (given)

We learn that as a team we can achieve faster results because all the members have a common sense of direction. Moreover, the flow field of more enthusiastic members propels the others to work faster.

2. Whenever a goose gets out of formation it tries to get back in.(given)

We learn that we can achieve our results faster and better by the accumulated efforts of the whole team. The team also keeps us motivated to move towards our goal better than if we were to work towards it alone.

3. Whenever a goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head.(given)

This teaches us the value of shared leadership. When the goal is difficult and the leader is tired or out of ideas, it helps if some other team member stands at the helm and leads the team.

4. The geese flying in the rear of the formation honk, apparently to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. (given)

This tells the power of encouragement. When we encourage our fellow team mates, they will be inspired to achieve more. The positive encouragement results in increased productivity of the team as a whole.

5. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out of line and stay with the wounded goose until it revives or dies. Then they catch up or join another flock. (given)

This is another valuable lesson for the team members. We should always stand by our team in good times and bad.  Today it is our turn to give support, tomorrow we may be at the receiving end. This give and take creates a strong bond in the team and gives confidence to the team members that, come what may, the team is always with them. This conviction makes them want to contribute more to the team.