Week 37: Eagle Focus
The Most Important Triangle
Over the next two months, we will examine Trust, the most critical aspect of all relationships. We will discuss the Relationship Triangle that leads us to trust. As we begin our discussion, let’s first examine a Flock of Geese.
Nature offers the perfect example of a trusting relationship:
When one goose leaves the formation, connection within the formation is lost. The goose that drops out suddenly feels drag and resistance, but once that goose rejoins the formation, the lifting power of the entire formation suddenly increases.
When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates to the back of the formation and another goose flies at the point position. Each goose shares its authentic leadership skills. The change in point position also allows each goose to change position in the V, further deepening their authentic leadership in each role.
Most likely, you have heard the sound of conflict in a formation of geese. They honk to encourage but also to sound the alarm of a dangerous situation. Each honk is unique, and together, their voices of conflict protect the formation over thousands of miles.
When a goose gets sick or wounded and drops out of the formation, two other geese drop out of the formation as well and fly with it to the ground. They stay with the wounded goose until it recovers or dies. At that point, they launch out on their own creating a new formation or they will catch up with the original flock. This is a wonderful example of the commitment and trust each bird has for the other.
Flock of Geese Principles
As a result of their actions, a flock of geese is highly efficient and productive, able to fly at heights of over thirty thousand feet in the air, travel over five-thousand miles, and even cross the Himalayan Mountains. It is all based on trust.
Geese demonstrate two important principles: (1) Healthy, sustained relationships take work, and (2) the secret to healthy relationships is commitment - the choice to work and stay together.
By maintaining those two basic rules of relationships, a simple flock of geese offers proof that powerful relationships and powerful teams produce powerful results. But we aren’t geese, so what can we do to obtain this kind of trust in our relationships ? We will discuss this next week when we take a look at the Relationship Triangle.
As we prepare for our discussion next week, review chapter eight, pages 73-88 of the Make a Difference Book. If you have previously read these pages, simply take a few minutes to review it.
Remember to use your Eagle Teams Digital Notebook to document any reflections or thoughts you might have after reading.
