Murmurations

(Photo: Geralt/Pixabay)

Wouldn't if be great if our teams could function like a flock of starlings during a murmuration? Imagine what we could do and where we could go.

Now, I am going to be transparent. I am not fond of the bird itself. They are, in my humble opinion, a very loud, dirty bird, and annoying bird. However, I didn't really know much about murmurations until a project I am involved with recently adopted the starling and their murmurations as a way for various groups with similar missions to come together as a whole.

How do half a million to a million starlings fly together as a mass, creating a beautiful display of team cohesion?

According to this National Geographic "How do starling birds flock? - Life in the Air: Episode 3" video on YouTube video, all members of the flock must abide by three simple rules:

1. As you fly, steer towards each other.
2. If any of your seven neighbors turn, then you turn.
3. Don't crowd each other.

Wildland Fire Leadership Challenge - Digging a Little Deeper

Discuss the three rules starlings must follow in order to come together as a whole.

Rule 1: As you fly, steer towards each other.

• Does it matter who leads or who follows? If not, what matters?
• What is the importance of the leader in our starling example?
• What is the importance of the follower in our starling example?
• How important is it for group members to keep track of one another? 
• What are you doing to ensure your team members are doing okay during the season and outside the fire season?

Rule 2: If any of your seven neighbors turn, then you turn.

• What is the purpose of knowing what your seven neighbors are doing?
• Why not know what the whole group is doing?
• Given an example of how we use this concept within the wildland fire service.
• What happens when one member of the group fails to follow the rules?

Rule 3: Don't crowd each other.

• How important is it for group members to give each other space?
• How do you maintain your individual values when they conflict with that of the team?
• Fire assignments and seasons can be long. How does your team handle the space issue?
• What happens when a member of the group gives a little too much space? What happens to crew cohesion?

(Photo: Geralt/Pixabay)

---

About the Author: Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee. The expressions are those of the author.