Bold, Not Aggressive: The Secret to Leadership Among Geese
A new study from the University of Vienna has revealed that in the world of greylag geese, it’s boldness—not aggression—that predicts leadership. The findings challenge traditional ideas that dominance or force determine who leads a group.
Researchers at the Konrad Lorenz Research Center spent four years observing a flock of greylag geese in Austria, meticulously tracking which birds led group flights and which ones followed. Alongside this, they assessed each goose’s personality traits, including boldness, curiosity, and aggression.
The results, published in iScience, were striking: bold geese were more likely to initiate movement and be followed, while curious individuals often assumed follower roles. Aggressive geese, despite their high social rank, were not more likely to lead the flock.
Lead researcher Sonia Kleindorfer explained the significance:
“This study shows that followers choose leaders based on trust and benefit—not fear. It challenges the idea that dominance is the key to leadership.”
How Boldness Shapes Leadership
Bold geese tend to take initiative in risky situations, such as exploring new feeding grounds or navigating unfamiliar terrain. Their confidence inspires others to follow, creating a sense of safety within the group. Meanwhile, curious followers contribute by discovering new resources and sharing information with the flock.
This dynamic suggests that effective leadership in animal groups emerges from a balance of bold decision-making and collaborative support, rather than sheer aggression or dominance.
Implications Beyond the Flock
Understanding how geese and other animals make collective decisions can offer valuable insights into human leadership and team dynamics. In both nature and human societies, leaders are often chosen for their confidence, vision, and reliability, rather than their ability to intimidate or dominate others.
The study also highlights the sophisticated social structures of animals like greylag geese, showing that trust and cooperation play a crucial role in survival and group success.
As Kleindorfer notes, this research “helps us better understand the principles underlying leadership and cooperation across species.”