March - 2013 - issue > Management

Team Building & Leadership Lessons from Nature

Harikirat Singh

Managing Director-Woodland

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Forward

The footwear brand Woodland initiated in 1992, is owned by Aero Group. The flagship company which began its operations in 1960s now has an asset base of over $100 million.

There is no denying that teams form the foundation of today's corporate structure. Good team dynamics and good working relationship between the members of the team ensure better productivity and performance. Belonging to a team makes one feel part of something larger than self.

Have you ever thought of learning team work from nature? Observing nature can allow you to learn leadership lessons in a different way. Nature has a certain natural way of unfolding that can provide you with ideas about how you can lead at your best.

We can observe from animal behavior the cooperation, dedication, teamwork and concept of leadership. We do have some lessons from Nature which provides a perfect example of the importance of team work and how it can have a profound and powerful effect on any form of personal or business endeavor. For instance, Geese take full advantage of the power of their group, sharing leadership responsibilities and flying in a structure that enables the flock to leverage the strength and power of its individual members, sometimes numbering in to thousands. It is said that the Geese can make an annual round trip journey of more than 5,000 miles at a speed of 50 mph or more.