How to become a leader
1. It's a fact
Do you know why geese fly in that characteristic V-formation, honking their way over thousands of kilometres to a warmer destination? Consider these fascinating observations - which can have meaning for perceptive leaders:
- Leadership upfront is rotated. When the lead goose gets tired, it swaps the point position with a goose in the V-formation.
- By flying as a team, the geese help each other by creating an upward air current for one another. Each flap of the wings literally creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. In fact, someone has estimated that by helping each other in this way, the flock gets 71 per cent greater flying range than if each goose flew on its own.
- When one goose becomes exhausted or gets wounded, two fall out of formation with it and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the straggler until it is able to fly again.
- The geese at the rear of the formation are the ones who do the honking. Perhaps they’re announcing to the leaders up front that they’re following and all is well. Certainly the repeated honks encourage those upfront to hang in there till the destination is reached.
It’s fascinating the things leaders can learn from geese.
2. Viewpoint
"I demonstrate the art of leadership with a simple piece of string placed on a table. Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish. Push it and it will go nowhere at all. It’s just that way when it comes to leading people."
3. Quotable quote
"Each one of us, in large or small ways, is a leader. Some have an official title for their roles as leaders, while others may lead their brothers, sisters, or friends. Leadership is a state of mind - what you do to yourself, not what you do to others." …
