Managing for Quality and Performance Excellence 10th Edition by James Evans ,William Lindsay

Exercise 12

You have undoubtedly seen a flock of geese flying overhead. How do the following behaviors of this species provide insight about leadership?
a. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird behind. By using a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent more flying range than if each bird flew alone.
b. Whenever one falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the resistance of trying to fly alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds immediately in front.
c. When the lead bird gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another flies at the point position.
d. The birds in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to maintain their speed.
e. When one gets sick or wounded or shot down, two birds drop out of formation and follow their fellow member down to help or provide protection. They stay with this member of the flock until it can fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation or to catch up with their own flock.