THE BIRD AS MY MENTOR!

THE BIRD AS MY MENTOR!
 By: COACH WARREN RAFAL

When I was a little boy, I always admire those flocks of bird that travel above our sky in Vigan Ilocos Sur, my hometown province.

One day at the same time as my other playmates are having siesta in their houses, I notice them clearly while holding a kite at about 2pm. I was wondering “what” they are when my father tap my back and asking what I am doing. (My father is busy taking irrigation in our farm).

“ Anya isuda tatang?” (What are they, father?) I said. My father replied “naawagan da ka kankannawit nakkong, ammom kadi nga makaya da ti makabyahe ti isla ken isla kasta met ti continente ken continente?” (They are called cranes, my son, do you know that they can travel from islands to islands and continents to continents?)



“Naglaing da man, nakapigpigsa siguro ti payyak da anya?” (So they are great, do they have strong wings?) immediately I answered. Then my father begin to discussed in his deep voice why the cranes shows such great results in when they travel in flock, and that is summarize in these three characteristics;

1. The cranes always travel in a < > V A position, the birds in front consumes big energy in flying. The birds in the back receive a strong force of Wind coming from the birds in front giving them head start and consume approximately 40% lesser energy. Leaders call it Teamwork, Science call it Synergy.

2. When the birds/cranes in front of the formation is exhausted, they switch position, giving opportunity to the birds in front to be at the back and the birds at the back to be in front. V position becomes A position. > position becomes < position. Leadership is shared by everyone.

3. When cranes started to travel, they maintain that position harmony until they reach the desired destination. They show such discipline and commitment to each and everyone because the success of the group in their success.

From that day on, I continue to use the lessons I learned from the cranes in my everyday life.

P.S. The wisdom I got from the cranes can be used in different aspect of relationship, in business or in life.