day 168: Synergy

The word synergy gets used frequently in business. We hear it most when companies are merging and the business leaders say, "This deal will create synergy between the two entities". That is usually code for cost reductions and potential lay-offs so the word takes on a negative meaning. It is not a negative word at all. Synergy is a great thing and is defined as; "The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." That does sound good doesn't it? We all want more of that at work, but why is it so hard to get? It's a great question. It shouldn't be hard at all to get two or more people together to combine their efforts so that the result is much stronger than what the individuals could do by themselves. But, somewhere this breaks down and we can't find the synergy and we instead have to reinforce and teach the importance of teamwork and the leaders of the organization have to spend extra time and efforts to get people to work together. It shouldn't be hard at all to get people to want to work together and to get more done with each other than alone. But, many a company talks a good game about teamwork but when it comes down to it, the incentives and rewards (whether spoken or not) are all about the individual and not the team or partnership. Paul and Timothy tell the people of Philipi what they think synergy should be and we would do well to take their message to heart; " "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." We have the opportunity today to be synergistic leaders in our workplace. If we take the challenge of Paul and Timothy to find those who we can align with and we, through our own life example, model what it means to love one another, be in agreement and work together with one mind and purpose, then we will be modeling the life of the One we follow. And who at work will not want to be on your team? What an exciting company it would be if there were people all over the organization modeling these behaviors. As it is said, "it only takes one to get it started". Can today you be the one?

Reference: Philippians 2:2 (New Living Testament)