A Lesson on Teamwork from Mother Nature

The next time you see geese heading south for the winter, flying along in a “V” formation, think about teamwork.

Each goose has a very important role to fill way up there in that V-shaped formation. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an “uplift” for the bird behind it.  By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds a least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. Amazing!

In life, people who share a common direction and a sense of community reach their goals sooner than those who try to go it alone.

If a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the draft and resistance of trying to go it alone. Instinctively it will move back into the V-formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. 

A high performing team has members who are all headed in the same direction. Along the way they complement and collaborate with one another. 

The geese have a long way to fly. It would get tiring to have to lead the flock all that way. That's why thee geese take turns up at the front of the V-formation. When the leader gets tired, he rotates to the back and another goose flies ahead to take the lead.

Healthy teams share the leadership role so that everyone has a chance to develop their skills and strengths.

Did you know that all that noise you hear the geese making as they fly by is critical to their success? The geese honk at each other from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Recognition and positive verbal support are great motivational tools.

If one of the geese is injured or gets sick and starts to fall out of formation, two geese will land with him and stay with him on the ground until he is able to fly again. If the goose doesn’t recover and, sadly, dies, the two remaining geese will then set out and either catch up to their group or join another flock that passes by.

On all successful teams, members support and encourage one another at all times, even when things get rough. When people know they are part of a team that will support and cheer them on through thick and think, they naturally feel stronger, healthier and much more energized.

Source: Original Author Unknown

The $100,000 Question

My husband and I just returned from a relaxing five day getaway in Maui. It was an unexpected vacation for us, an appreciation gift from one of the suppliers my husband works with.  His name was drawn in a contest the supplier holds each year to recognize its loyal customers.

Everything was taken care of for us, from the direct flight to Maui to baggage handling and airport transfers. We stayed in the world-renowned, four diamond Grand Wailea Resort. I estimate that with all the food, events and excursions (golf and spa), flights and luxurious accommodations, the trip was probably valued at over $5,000.

We enjoyed every minute of the trip, soaking up the sun on Wailea Beach, attending a lua'au, taking a drive up to Iao Valley State Park, and enjoying the warm and friendly hospitality of our generous hosts.

 

There's nothing quite like a Hawaiian Sunset.

A Plumeria bloom in the luscious hotel courtyard

We could see Humpback whales from our lanai each morning!

Over the years, my husband has won or been gifted other surprise tokens of gratitude from the people he works with. We went by train to Jasper, Alberta and stayed at the Fairmont Hotel. We were treated to a first-class overnight cabin on the overnight train ride, giving us a glorious private view of the snow-capped Rockies.  We've travelled to San Franscisco, California and Whistler, BC too, all because we were lucky enough to have our names drawn in some contest or other.

And that leads me to the $100,000 question, one that I like to ask people at get-togethers and dinner parties to break the ice and generate great conversations. The hypothetical question is this:

If you were told that you would win $100,000 in tax-free cash today but you'd have to agree to give up the chance to ever win anything ever again, would you take it? By accepting the cash, you would never be able to win a door prize at a conference or $10 on a scratch-and-win ticket or a dream vacation. You'd never win a prize at the country fair game arcade or the jackpot in a silly poker game with friends. Nothing. Not even a free breakfast sandwich from a local donut shop chain. No blog giveaways either. Forget radio contests too! By taking the $100,000 now, you'll never, ever win anything ever again.

It's always interesting to hear people's answers to my question. Some people want the immediate safety of knowing they have a chunk of cash in the bank. Others prefer to wait and see what the universe has to offer.

I myself am not much of a gambler, but I do like to see what surprises life has to offer. I like holding a little ticket at the end of a workshop, waiting to see if my name will be called for a free book! I love entering blog giveaways. I love playing party games and winning goofy novelty prizes. It doesn't matter, big or small, I love winning prizes! I try to have faith that if I'm meant to win, then it will happen. If not, then it just means that the Universe has other exciting plans for me (like a trip to Maui)!

What would you choose? $100,00 now or the chance to win fun and surprising gifts, big and small--you never know--for the rest of your life?