I’m convinced that we can be much more productive working as a team than we can be working individually. Even though we don’t sit down together at a conference table to set goals and plan strategies, I think it’s appropriate to think of ourselves as members of a team. I recently came across a document about teamwork that I used years ago in another profession. I thought that you might enjoy these five points as you consider the concept of teamwork and how it applies to us as Zibbeters…

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than if the bird flew alone.

Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go, and we will be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to the others.

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

Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership. With people, as with geese, we are interdependent on each other.

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

Lesson: We need to make sure that our honking from behind is encouraging and not back-seat driving.

When a goose gets sick or wounded or is shot-down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again or dies. Then they launch out on their own with another formation or catch up with the flock.

Lesson: If we have as much sense as geese, we too will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

~ Author Unknown ~

Best wishes for much success on Zibbet!

Geese in formation photo from Helping Psychology

Vicki is committed to assisting her fellow Zibbeters improve their shops for successful online selling. She is the owner of three Zibbet shops: LOC Design Studio, Denim and Pearls and A Stitch and a Prayer. You can follow Vicki on Twitter and through her LOC Design Studio blog.

Tags: collaboration, cooperation, success, Success on Zibbet, teamwork