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Leadership Manual

Leadership and Governance

   TRANSITION: The Changing of the Guard
   NEW PRESIDENT POINTERS
   LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM GEESE
   DUTIES OF OFFICERS
   HOW TO RUN A MEETING
   MEETING TIPS
   RECORD-KEEPING PRACTICES

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM GEESE

1. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for others behind it. There is 71 percent more flying range in a "V" formation than when flying alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of purpose can get things accomplished more quickly.

2. Whenever a goose flies out of formation, it quickly feels the drag and tries to get back into position.

Lesson: It is harder to do things alone than together.

3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies at the head.

Lesson: Shared leadership and interdependence give us each a chance to lead as well as opportunities to rest.

4. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson: Make sure your honking is encouraging, not discouraging.

5. When a goose gets sick or wounded and falls, two geese fall out and stay with it until it revives or dies. Then they catch up with the original group or join another flock.

Lesson: Stand by your colleagues in difficult times as well as good ones.

---»DUTIES OF OFFICERS

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