Habit 6, “synergise,” is all about recognising that two heads are better than one when it comes to problem-solving.
When people work together to find solutions to challenges, they bring with them different strengths and experiences.
It is these differences that can help achieve a better overall result than one person could alone.
Think of synergy like the human body – its value is more than just the sum of all its parts.
What Are The Benefits Of Working In Synergy?
The benefits are truly endless.
When you work in synergy, everyone has the same common interest.
The idea is to come together, pool everyone’s knowledge, ideas, and resources to achieve a common goal.
For synergy to truly work, everyone around the table needs to feel like their voice is heard and that they are valued.
Working in this way means that people can more easily reach a point where the interaction feels genuine.
When this happens, those involved are more open to listening to each other, can benefit from learning new things, and change their own way of thinking.
The benefit of appreciating everyone’s opinion can be in finding an approach to a problem that otherwise could not be solved.
When in synergy, everyone feels like they are valued for what they bring to the table.
The end result is a satisfying outcome that everyone feels is right, even when it’s not the approach they would take.
How Do You Know When You Are In Synergy?
Stephen Covey explains the path to synergy as a never-ending cycle.
For it to work, there are certain things you need to be willing to do.
Firstly, you need to use what you learned in habit 5, seeking first to understand, and then to be understood. This means genuinely and empathically listening to the opinions of others around you.
Secondly, you need to clarify the end in mind. What is the overall, ultimate goal?
Finally, there is a need to be open to exploring alternative options.
Throughout the whole process of the path to synergy, you need to make sure you value the differences of the people included in the process.
This is how you will find alternative solutions and ultimately solve the problem at hand.
Covey says that you’ll know you’re in synergy when you:
- Have a change of heart
- Feel new energy and excitement
- See things in a new way
- Feel that the relationship has transformed
- End up with an idea or result that is better than what either of you started with
The Importance Of Valuing Differences
It is how we are different that really helps to drive synergy.
Differences should be viewed as strengths, not weaknesses and should be celebrated, not tolerated.
To be truly in synergy you need to value the mental, emotional, and psychological differences of the people around you and not simply hope everyone will agree with you so that you can all get along.
How Can Synergy Help A Business?
People feel valued and are used for the strengths that they have.
Business owners should be able to identify who their subject matter experts are and bring them into any discussions where their input could help find the best solution.
In synergy, individuals can work together to create something incredible.
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