Last week in a discussion group I lead, we discussed an interesting bit of tid regarding the movement of colonies, flocks, herds and schools of animals as a single unit. If you have ever seen a number of fish schooling together, or witnessed a gaggle of geese fly by, you’ve watched as the formation moves in natural syncopation, as if somehow connected to an unseen force that guides and directs their movement as one. Led by an alpha individual, the group coalesces into unity, exhibiting innate instinct and singleness of purpose. It’s an intriguing example of leadership and the ability to follow, qualities that are compulsory in every individual for the group or system to function properly.
Competition is often the determinative factor for selection of a leader, and sometimes one appears without resistance. Then an enormous amount of work can be accomplished – but only when everyone shares a powerful, heartfelt, and common goal. This goal, rather than the leader, is the unseen force that guides and directs the group as one.
We can utilize the image of a flock of geese winging across the wild blue yonder to remind us of what we can accomplish when we coalesce for the greater good. We can then temporarily subordinate the transient needs of personal ego to accomodate a grander vision. It’s now instinctive, easier, nearly effortless to sense the course and move harmoniously toward a more powerful outcome.