I have been come across some great analogy's where nature teaches us some great lessons.
We can learn lessons about building a productive team by looking at
1) How birds work together when they fly
2) How bees communicate
3) How termites work together to construct amazing structures
4) How to create lasting relationships from penguins
Nature also applies certain underlying principles in a spectacular variety of imaginative form. For example in nature we find;
1) Economic use of materials
2) Maximum structural strength
3) Maximum enclosed volume
4) Extremely high strength-to-weight ratios
5) Utilisation of stress and strain as a basis for structural efficiency
6) Energy efficiency through form without external power
7) Form that enhances air circulation
8) Use of local materials for building
9) Curvilinear forms that disperse and dissipate multi-directional forces
10) Integration of aerodynamic efficiency with structural form
11) Producing nothing that is toxic to the environment
12) Designs structures that can be built by a single organism
Here is the lesson that we learn from geese. This provides a perfect example of the importance of team work and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business endeavour.
When you use these seven principles in our business it will help encourage a level of passion and energy in yourselves and team members.
Lesson 1 - The importance of knowing where you are going
Every year the geese set off together already knowing the destination, for those that are new they guided by the older birds and they all set off together
Outcome
Until everyone is aligned on where you want to go you probably won't even get of the ground. Learn from those who have been there before.
Lesson 2 - The importance of working together
As each goose flaps its wings it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a 'V' formation the whole flock adds 71 percent extra to the flying range.
Outcome
When we have a sense of community and focus, we create trust and can help each other to achieve our goals.
Lesson 3 - The Importance of Team Work
When a goose falls out of formation it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It quickly moves back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.
Outcome
If we had as much sense as geese we would stay in formation with those headed where we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and give our help to others.
Lesson 4 - The Importance of Sharing
When a goose tires of flying up front it drops back into formation and another goose flies to the point position.
Outcome It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should respect and protect each other's unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents and resources.
Lesson 5 - The Importance of Empathy and Understanding
When a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to the ground to help and protect it.
Outcome
If we have as much sense as geese we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.
Lesson 6 - The importance of knowing your limitations
The two geese will stay with a sick goose until it gets better or until it dies. If it dies it means that the remaining two geese can share the load to catch up with another flock. They could never achive this if they flew on their own.
Outcome
You are always more effective having people around you. Even if circumstances change always have someone there to support you.
Lesson 7 - The Importance of Encouragement
Geese flying in formation 'HONK' to encourage those up front to keep up with their speed.
Outcome
We need to make sure our honking is encouraging. In groups and teams where there is encouragement, production is much greater. 'Individual empowerment results from quality honking'
I will let you know the lessons of communication from the bees in my next post
