Scientists Have Revealed How Geese Choose Leaders

There are several important qualities.

Scientists from the University of Vienna spent four years observing a flock of geese. They found out how the birds choose a leader. The study was published in the journal iScience, writes techinsider.

The experts worked with tagged geese at the Konrad Lorenz station. They recorded who takes off first - the leader - who joins and the size of the group flying off together. In addition, scientists were interested in the personal qualities of each bird:

Boldness - how close the goose let the person before taking off;

Aggressiveness - reaction to their reflection in the water surface and mirror;

Curiousness - interest in new objects.

It turned out that the leaders in flocks are bold, but not aggressive geese. They are the first to dare to fly to unfamiliar places. However, they do not intimidate congeners - they are voluntarily recognized as leaders.

Aggressive individuals can be "bosses" in conflicts for food. But do not lead the flock - geese do not trust such in important decisions.

There is a myth about a strong leader. However, in nature, power through fear does not work for collective decisions. Followers of geese do not blindly obey, but choose whom to trust.

Although the study is about geese, its findings resonate with human psychology, the scientists said.

"This study helps explain why people with certain traits consistently wield more influence. More importantly, it draws attention to followers, something often overlooked in our human fascination with securing resources. What if subscribers actively chose who to subscribe to based on the benefits they received? This shifts the focus to followers' cognitive abilities and challenges traditional notions of what traits matter most in leaders," concluded Sonya Kleindorfer from the University of Vienna.

You can support the website Charter97.org

MULTI-CURRENCY ACCOUNT FOR ASSISTANCE:

Bank's name: Bank Millennium S.A.
Address: ul. Stanislawa Zaryna, 2A, 02-593, Warszawa
IBAN: PL97116022020000000216711123
SWIFT: BIGBPLPW
Name of the account holder: Fundacja “KARTA ‘97”
Purpose/title of payment: Donation for statuary aims

You can contact us by the e-mail [email protected]