I am presently reading the new Sir Alex Ferguson
book ‘Leading,’ I highly recommend it for every business owner. As a result, I watched
with anticipation the recent BBC programme Secrets of Success in which reporter
Nick Robinson who has analysed leaders for most of his life set about
discovering what made Sir Alex so successful. He also wanted to learn how he
was able to keep himself and his teams hungry for success year in year out.
I realise for some reading a book by Sir Alex is a
definite no-no, yet I would ask you to consider if someone could help you crack
the code for running a successful business year in year out would you not put
your prejudices aside and just soak up the wisdom? After all, another famous
business philosopher said “The more you learn the more you earn” a famous quote
from the one and only Bart Simpson.
The BBC programme was full, as indeed is the book,
of golden nuggets for any leader but there was one story in particular that
really perked my interest and it was Fergies fascination with the lessons he
learned, modelled and taught about Geese.
During the programme Ryan Giggs mentioned that one
day during training Fergie stopped the players mid-game so that they could
observe a flock of geese flying above.
Also featured on the programme was British Ryder Cup
Captain Paul McGinley. He told how he had asked Fergie to give a talk to his
team before their match with USA. Once again Fergie told the Geese story to a
team of golfers at the absolute top of their game. More importantly how using
the principles of a flock of Geese could help them secure the Ryder Cup.
So what is it that two of the most successful teams
in British sporting history have learnt from Geese and that we business owners
can learn to transform not only our leadership but also the teamwork within our
businesses? (For those of you who aren’t yet employing team members you still
have a team. Customers, suppliers, your Accountant etc are all part of your
team and these principles apply)
I thought we could look at these principles as a set
of facts and then look at the lessons we can learn:
Fact
1 - When
you see Geese flying in “V” formation, you might consider what science has
discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it
creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation,
the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if the bird
flew alone.
Lesson
Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of
community can get where they are going much quicker and easier because they are
travelling on the strength of one another. Make sure your team and Company are
aligned towards a common goal.
Also flying in a V formation increases the
visibility as every Goose can see what’s happening in front of them. How
visible is your company in both organisational chart directions? Having a
top-down approach enables leaders to stay connected with the edges of the
company to make better informed decisions. Bottom-up visibility enables
employees to see the bigger picture thus engaging them and empowering them to
better align themselves with the company objectives.
Fact
2 – Whenever
a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of
trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of
the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson
learned – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in
formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to
accept their help as well as give ours to others. Another lesson here is to be
humble and admit the challenges we face and to seek help as soon as we get
stuck. This humility will enable you, your team and your company to move faster
and achieve more.
Fact
3 – When
the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose
flies at the point position.
Lesson
Learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and
sharing leadership. Empower others to also lead. Micro-managing and keeping
tight control will eventually burn you out. It will also disengage and
demotivate those around you. All your team have their own unique skills,
capabilities and gifts to offer and if you prefer to keep an iron fist around
you company you will disengage and demotivate those around you.
Show your people trust and give them a chance to
shine, you will be surprised with the outcomes.
Fact
4 – The
Geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up
their speed.
Lesson
Learned – We need to make sure our honking from behind in our
teams is encouraging, and not something else. How are you praising your people
and giving them the recognition they deserve?
Lack of recognition is one of the main reasons
employees are unsatisfied at work and eventually leads to them quitting or even
worse staying when they are unmotivated and disengaged from the company
objectives. Remembering to constantly provide recognition and encouragement is
vital and keeps teams motivated to achieve their goals.
Fact 5 – When a Goose
gets sick, wounded or shot down, two Geese drop out of formation and follow it
down to help protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or
dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation or they catch
up with their flock.
Lesson
Learned – If we were to have as much sense as Geese do, we
too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
It is easy to be part of winning teams, but when things get difficult and
people are facing challenges that’s when your teammates need you most.
Fact
6 – The Geese migration routes never vary.
They use the same route year in year out. Even when the flock members change,
the young learn the route from their parents.
Lesson
Learned – Stay true to your core values and purpose. Products,
strategies and tactics may change for a company to remain relevant in the
market place but GREAT companies and teams always stick to their core purpose
and values and preserve them with vigour. A company’s culture trumps everything
else.
So there you have it 6 lessons for us all from a
flock of Geese, apply them, live by them and see what happens to your company.
As a footnote. Above is a photo of the victorious
European Ryder Cup Team along with their trophy. If you are wondering what they
are pointing and smiling about just as they posed for this photo a flock of
Geese flew overhead honking their support.
Ps If you would like a copy of Sir Alex’s book you
can order yours here:
Thoughts:
“None of us is as smart as all of
us” Ken
Blanchard
“Alone we do so little, together
we can do so much”
Helen Keller
“Remember, teamwork begins by
building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for
invulnerability” Patrick
Lencioni
“If everyone is moving forward
together, then success takes care of itself” Henry Ford
“The strength of the team is each
individual member. The strength of each member is the team” Phil Jackson
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