What Geese can teach us about teamwork in real estate

As the temperatures start dropping the marvelous sight of geese flying south in their “V” formation. I remember being in school and our biology teacher told us that the “V” is one of nature’s prime examples of teamwork. When geese fly together in their ‘V’ formation, they’re all being lifted into the air. And they can fly much further, longer, and with less breaks than they could have if they were flying solo. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. That formation enables those geese to fly 1,500 miles in just 24 hours!  Sandpoint Realty encourages teamwork from their agents. This might take form as an official team or just a general supportive group for the betterment of all. It not only provides higher income potential but improves the safety and overall well being of their agents.

Geese set a great example of how to form effective teams.

1. Working together all of them arrive quicker. Just like geese when real estate agents work together harmoniously on teams, sharing common values and a common destination, they all arrive at the destination quicker and easier, because they are lifted up by the energy and enthusiasm of one another.

2. Geese know how to honk.Geese make loud honking sounds as they fly together to communicate and to encourage each other. When working on teams, it is exceedingly important for each team member to communicate regularly with all the other team members. Teams can fall apart because of the lack of adequate communication and positive encouraging support.

3. Geese rotate leadership. The lead goose has to flap the hardest and when he gets tired he lets another take the lead. This rotation of position happens many times in the course of the long journey to warmer climates. When a team is functioning well, various members of the team may take the leadership role for a while because of a particular expertise or experience. Consequently, on good teams, everyone has the opportunity to serve as a leader as well as a follower.

4. The whole is greater than the sum of our parts. When a goose drops out of the v-formation it suddenly feels the air resistance of trying to do it alone. It doesn’t take long for that goose to return to the formation to take advantage of the lifting power that comes from flying together. Sometimes people playing on teams will drop out of the group and try to accomplish goals on their own. Just like our feathered counterparts it doesn’t take long to discover just how much further we can get with less energy when we work as a team.

5. Geese help each other. Scientists discovered that when one goose becomes ill, or injured, and drops out of the formation, two other geese will fall out of formation and remain with the weakened goose. They will stay with and protect the injured goose from predators until it is able to fly again or dies. The best of teams work best when they do more than just work together, but care for the well being of each other. To stand with each other in difficult times as well as when they are strong. If you can learn from a goose to form your real estate teamwork will effectively enrich your business and help you reach your goals quicker and easier.  What can your open handed, full of praise and energy teamwork do for your office?  Will you fly solo against the turbulence or glide to your destination?Rain Silverhawk 208-610-0011Mark Don McInnes 208-255-6227