Leadership Framework: Geese

It's definitely that time of the year when the weather cools, leaves change and birds migrate to warmer climates (take me with you, birds)!  While on my way home last week, I couldn't take my eyes off a beautiful flock of geese, flying seamlessly in a V shape, the lead bird dropping to the back at times for another goose to take over.

Flock of geese or a functioning school staff?

While I consider myself a HUGE anti-bird enthusiast, I can't help by be amazed at the organization and communication it must take for geese to know when to lead and when to drop back and follow. I know this is a natural occurrence in flocks of geese, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized these V shaped flocks are a lot like leadership.

Geese fly in V formations as a way to conserve energy. Geese flying behind the leader can fly for extended periods of time due to some sciencey-air-dynamic-energy reason. Geese who fly in V formations can travel much further distances because of this.

Geese can have a clear view of where they are headed when flying in a V formation. Not just great for safety's sake, but a great way to keep geese focused with a clear focus on an end point. Also, personal body space.

In thinking about the "leader" of a formation, when the lead bird gets tired, it drops back in formation and another goose moves to the front.

Is this what effective school leadership looks like? Perhaps we can take a few notes from our air-borne friends on leadership. If we, as school leaders, "fly" in a V shape formation along with teachers and staff, are we working with a common vision, with our eyes on the same destination? If we work together to land at our destination, could the work load be easier for all of us?

I love this idea of the leader dropping back for a break. I certainly find times when a fellow "goose" is much more experienced or has expertise in an area I gam not strong in. As the "lead goose," I've come to realize that dropping back and letting another goose lead the way allows for that goose to build confidence and share their expertise for all the other geese.

So, no. I will never be a huge bird fan, but there is something to geese as models for leadership.

Source: http://www.tweentribune.com/article/tween56/why-do-geese-fly-v-formation/
Image source: https://aileenshu.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/272068_l_srgb_s_gl.jpg