7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Synergize

Synergy is the process by which two or more people, working together, are able to achieve more than if they were to work alone. It is a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship. The foundation for synergy is the ability to celebrate differences. Not just gender and racial diversity, but differences in religion, personality, education, language, family, interests, values and so on. Going beyond tolerance and actually celebrating these differences offers the purest form of synergy as consistent acceptance creates a vast network. Celebrating differences becomes easier when we recognize that we are all a minority of one. From the way we learn, our worldly paradigms, our personalities and on, we are all unique and special. 

Synergy is not compromise. Compromise is a situation when one or each person concedes something to find a solution. While compromise is better than conflict, it is not ideal. Synergy is creative cooperation. It’s not about reaching the goal together that you could have done alone; it’s about exceeding your goals and the goals of others by working together. To get to synergy, each party must define the problem or issue, determine the two sides or set of goals, brainstorm creative yet logical solutions, and then choose the best solution.

Synergy doesn’t always happen naturally or even with great effort. Some cooperative solutions are difficult to come by. But the more effort put into the synergy plan, the easier it will become and the more often the valuable fruits of these relationships will be reaped.

You should recognize that there are many  people on campus that are ready and willing to be part of your synergistic team. Never again in your life will you be part of a community that is as dedicated to and motivated by your success. And when you observe and utilize the services, resources and people on this campus, your path will become smoother and clearer.