“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together” - African Proverb
I took this picture of birds flying in a "V" formation in the Fall of 2020. As someone who is very passionate about teamwork, I was excited to observe this perfect display of unity in the sky. I immediately researched why birds do this so I could learn more. A lot of people have shared information about this concept and I found a few main points that got me pumped up!!
Leaders and followers
As you can see in the picture, there is only one leader when flying in a "V" formation. That means that every other bird can be viewed as a follower. They all fly at the same speed and fly long distances. However, every member of the team has a role to play in order to have an efficient and effective journey. At times, the birds rotate position in the "V" which means that leader and follower title changes among the team. No matter your role, you can add value. Your attitude, actions and words make a positive or negative impact on your team. The CHOICE is yours!
I got your back
I enjoyed learning that the birds fly TOGETHER. They all play important roles and support each other throughout the entire journey. The team understands that every member of the team is a part of their family and they support each other.
If a bird is injured or sick during the travel, two birds will fly down to the ground with their fellow teammate. They wait until the bird is healthy enough to continue flying or sadly, passes away. After this, the two or three birds, will join another team of birds in the sky! The new group welcomes and embraces the new birds into their formation and make them feel included!
As I like to say, "The circle can always get bigger, we all just need to take a big step back!"
Thanks for reading :)
Positive vibes,
Dan
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