Geese flying in proper V formation can fly a 70% longer distance than a single goose flying alone. This happens because a goose creates an updraft that benefits the next goose in formation. Is there a lesson here?

For the geese, resilience is based on being in formation. For us humans, we might translate that as being in community or in a well-functioning team. Our resilience is upped considerably, maybe by 70%, by good team work.

For leaders, you may want to take note that the lead goose tires and moves back, allowing another goose to take its place. The lead goose bears the brunt of breaking through the air for the V formation. We human leaders think it is all up to us, and we sometimes tire but keep going right into burnout. How can you let others share the load?

Resilience in this case is not a matter of being able to bounce back, say from burnout. It is more about being in the right place in your V formation or team in the first place. And it is about flexibility. Not hanging on to that front leader role at all costs. But rather allowing others to help which may entail sharing responsibilities and power.

For you managers and professionals down in the V formation, what can you do to share the load for your leaders? Where can you take the initiative and offer assistance?

One last point. Studies on stress have long established that the best indicator of resilience in terms of how a person can manage severe stress is how well connected they are to others. A person with good relationships at home and at work will survive far more stress than the loner. The moral is to build strong relationships with family, friends and co-workers. It will pay off in resilience.