If you’ve ever seen a V-formation of geese flying across the sky, you might have noticed something remarkable: they move together as if they’re one. When the front goose gets tired, it falls back and another takes the lead. Each flap of a wing creates lift for the others. And when one goose is struggling, two others will leave the formation to support it until it’s strong enough to fly again.
Nature figured out teamwork long before we did.
Geese don’t hold strategy meetings. They don’t need trust-building workshops. But their instinctive behaviours show us exactly what a strong team looks like: shared direction, mutual support, flexible leadership, and a deep sense of connection.
Human teams, of course, are a little more complicated. But the principles aren’t that different. So, what can you do to build that kind of connection and trust at work?
Here are five grounded, practical ways to strengthen your team—no wings required.
1. Make Trust a Daily Habit
Trust doesn’t come from one team-building event (although it’s a start!). It grows through small daily actions. Showing up consistently, listening actively, and admitting when you don’t know something are powerful ways to build psychological safety.
👉 Try this: Start meetings with a quick check-in round. It’s not about oversharing. It’s about showing you’re human. That’s where trust begins.
2. Clarify Roles and Expectations
In nature, every animal has a role. In teams, confusion over “who does what” causes stress, delays, and conflict. Clarifying roles and ways of working clears the fog and makes collaboration smoother.
👉 Do a team session: “What is unclear about who owns what right now?” Open the doors to clarity.
3. Normalise Feedback (Even the Awkward Kind)
In the goose world, support comes naturally. In our world, feedback often feels risky. But when feedback is framed as an act of support, not criticism, it becomes a core team-strengthening habit.
👉 Use this tool as a monthly retro: Try “Start – Stop – Continue” feedback:
- What should we start doing?
- What should we stop doing?
- What should we continue doing?
4. Create Rituals of Connection
Strong teams don’t just work together; they connect. These connections can be quick, informal, and even a little playful. What matters is consistency.
👉 Ritual idea: Try a Friday shoutout thread: “Who helped you out this week?” Gratitude spreads fast.
5. Lean Into (Healthy) Conflict
Conflict is like turbulence; it feels uncomfortable, but it’s often a sign that the team is moving forward. Avoiding it just builds tension. Facing it with curiosity builds maturity.
👉 Remember: The goal is not to eliminate conflict, but to navigate it with respect and honesty. After all, conflict is no more than the pursue of the best possible solution!
Final thoughts
You don’t need to fly in formation like geese, but you do need to move in the same direction. Strong teams are not perfect, they’re open, honest, and resilient. And with a little intention, yours can be too!
Curious how your team could grow stronger together?
I help teams build trust, improve communication, and create healthier ways of working—through practical psychology-based workshops and tools.
📩 Get in touch or explore more at www.liispaemurru.com
