1. A Functioning Team

3. Observations
Life lessons
As each goose flutters its wings, it creates an updraft for the bird following it in the V-formation of migration. By flying in this V-formation, the geese are able to migrate 71% further than if each bird flew unaccompanied
People who share a common vision and sense of common direction can get further faster by supporting one another.
When the lead goose tires, it peels off the point position and rotates back into the V-formation. Another goose then steps up and takes its turn fighting in the wind from the point position.
It pays to take turns. By delegating critical tasks to all team members, everyone in an organization can grow.
The lead goose (on the point) never honks. The geese behind the leader continue to honk praise and encouragement to the lead goose.
The power of praise and recognition is critical to success as people delegate significant projects to one another in an organization.
Sometimes two or three geese break away from the formation in order to look for a better wind current or a more creative and better way to fly.
An effective organization believes in the "culture of celebrated discontent." It constantly experiments with new ways of being. Successful organizations often forget quickly and learn slowly. In today's environment, constant improvement through teamwork is an absolute necessity.
When a goose gets sick or wounded and has to go down to land, two other geese fall out of the formation and go with it to support and protect it. They stay with it until it dies - or is able to return to the formation. Then the "escort" geese try to catch up with their own flock or another formation of geese.
When tasks are tough, people need to support one another. Delegation and teamwork require follow-up, dialogue and support.

4. Ten Characteristics of a Well-Functioning Teams:

5. Purpose:
Members proudly share a sense of why the team exists and are invested in accomplishing its mission and goals.

6. Priorities
Members know what needs to be done next, by whom, and by when to achieve team goals.

7. Roles:
Members know their roles in getting tasks done and when to allow a more skillful member to do a certain task.

8. Authority and decision- making lines are clearly understood.
Decisions:
Authority and decision- making lines are clearly understood.

9. Personal traits:
Members feel their unique personalities are appreciated and well utilized.

10. Norms:
Group norms for working together are set and seen as standards for everyone in the groups.

11. Effectiveness:
Members find team meetings efficient and productive and look forward to this time together.

12. Conflict:
Conflict is dealt with openly and is considered important to decision- making and personal growth.

13. Success:
Members know clearly when the team has met with success and share in this equally and proudly.

14. Training:
Opportunities for feedback and updating skills are provided and taken advantage of by team members.

15. Team exercise
An airplane has just crashed in the ocean. There's a desert island nearby, and there's room on the lifeboat for every person – plus 12 items they'll need to survive on the island. Instruct the team to choose which items they want to take. How do they decide? How do they rank or rate each item?