When watching a flock of geese fly overhead, notice that one is always leading the V. According to research, geese share this spot, but they all contribute to the success of the flight. If we notice some other members of the animal kingdom, we also see some lessons on leadership. There is always an alpha dog in a pack and always a horse who leads the others through the gate at feeding time. The other dogs and horses wait on this leader to take the first step.
Now compare how we humans do things – especially within the typical American families and other core institutions of our culture. Sadly, we don’t display the God-given sense of the animals. Instead, our sense of self-pride won’t dare let someone else have the audacity to exert authority over us in much of life. Students don’t respect teachers, much of the public does not respect law-enforcement, and children don’t respect parents. When the parents die, there is no longer even any sense of anyone being in charge of a family.
Authority is ordained from the beginning of Creation. When it is present and leadership responsibility is taken – there is order and quality of life productivity. A good example of this is the military where the chain of command and obedience of lawful orders enable the military force to defend the freedom and protect the peace.
When authority is not honored and there is no leadership, chaos results. Schools don’t produce an education, but troubled kids. Communities are overrun by poverty and violence. Families end up with divorces and lawsuits among siblings.
We American humans love our self-pride and will probably never willingly relinquish our self-appointed authority to let anyone lead us in these areas. That just means there will continue to be many jobs for folks to train and practice marriage and family counseling, many aspects of law for the courtrooms, and general negotiation and mediation.
Just think how much better life could be if we could get along and work together like the geese, dogs, and horses.
