PEOPLE
Group riding - everyone has a part to play and each makes a difference to the entire group experience.
When a group rides there is typically a ride leader who is the first rider and leads the group to a destination. He or she has the route directions and sees to the group's safety. She adjusts her riding pace and style to that of the least-experienced rider in the group in order to ensure everyone keeps up. He uses pre-determined hand signals to communicate with the group riding behind him because he cannot talk to everyone during the ride (unless everyone has the technology that allows them to hear voice communications).
The rear-most rider is typically an experienced rider and is responsible for keeping track of the group's riders. If someone has trouble, the rear-most rider pulls off with the individual in trouble and communicates to the ride leader that there is a problem. The rear-most person helps the rest of the group navigate intersections and turns by warning oncoming traffic there are multiple motorcycle riders in formation, if conditions are safe enough to do so. The rear-most rider has the big picture view of the entire group.
Individuals within the group may have roles such as relaying information to the rest of the members behind them regarding road conditions, oncoming traffic, objects in the road, an individual need, or a particularly interesting sight not to be missed. Group supplies such as first aide kits, camping equipment, picnic particulars, or special event needs may be divided up among the group members so that each carries a fair share of the group's burden. Each individual is responsible for keeping an eye out on the members behind them in case someone signals a need to stop, turn, or breaks down on the road so that the group members in front respond accordingly when it is safe to do so.
A group ride is a wonderful example of team work in action. It shows how people need each other to serve a broader group goal than their own individual goals. In fact, individuals within a group have varying ride skill levels and may best be served on their own by riding faster or slower than others in the group. But during the group ride everyone remains in a staggered formation and maintains the group speed. Teams - professional, athletic, research, civic, political, and others - would do well to follow the example of a motorcycle group ride to achieve the larger goal or mission.
(A fable by Aesop)
The Belly and The Members
One fine day it occured to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food. So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work until the Belly consented to take its proper share of the work. So for a day or two, the Hands refused to take the food, the Mouth refused to receive it, and the Teeth had no work to do. But after a day or two the Members began to find that they themselves were not in a very active condition: the Hands could hardly move, and the Mouth was all parched and dry, while the Legs were unable to support the rest. So thus they found that even the Belly in its dull quiet way was doing necessary work for the Body, and that all must work together or the Body will go to pieces.
Moral: All must work together.
(Note: Aesop's fables are in the public domain.)
SVH
