Flying geese provide a simple, but effective analogy of good team work.When migrating birds fly in a the V pattern, each is subjected to the same amount of air friction as its neighbour. The advantage to formation flying lies in what pilots call the "wing tip vortex". Birds displace air downwards when they fly, which creates a corresponding up wash at the wing tip. From this, we can draw a number of analogical conclusions that promote a better understanding of the benefits of working in a team.
Contribution
Each goose, just by moving its wings, creates uplift for a neighbouring bird.
Each goose, just by moving its wings, creates uplift for a neighbouring bird.
Efficiency
Flying in V formation achieves a 70 percent increase in range over flying alone
Optimality
Although range is increased, individual speed is reduced 24 percent (efficiency v's effectiveness)
Teaming
V formation is self regulating insofar as it is easier to fly in formation than out of formation
V formation is self regulating insofar as it is easier to fly in formation than out of formation
Equality
Each bird expends and contributes the same amount, irrespective of position in the team.
The only interesting exception might be sick or weaker birds that need team support - they might be able to fly "inside" the V formation with less energy expenditure. Perhaps formation flying might even assist with lead bird rotation.