Victoria Stockdale - September-October 2004

The word synergy is derived from the Greek term synergia, which defines the collaboration and or partnership of two or more individuals in the pursuit of a specific goal or achievement. Throughout human history, the society we live in has depended on the combined effort of more than one person, whether in the creation of a family or the manifestation of small groups of individuals created to govern the larger masses.

Civilization has always depended on the synergies of various and uniquely talented individuals from the fields of art, science, math and philosophy. As such, the business world is also replete with examples of synergies. An entrepreneur can only go so far before he needs to combine his strengths with that of others in order to go that one step further. In Management, for executives to achieve their goals they must share their knowledge and expertise with other colleagues, while delegating authority and responsibility in such a manner as to maximize the efforts required to deliver optimum results.

In order to create synergies and achieve greater challenges we must train ourselves to listen, learn and most importantly trust. Only by learning to trust those around us (colleagues, friends, family), by means of communication and discussion, can we begin the process of building bridges of emotional intelligence that allow our thoughts and ideas to transfer to the minds of others and vice versa. By allowing these thoughts and ideas to linger over our mind, to melt in the pot of shared knowledge, we can experience and expand with the freedom of creativity. A person working alone has more defined limitations, whether in physical endurance, mental capacity, stored experience or know-how of any particular issue. Two or more individuals can create a team that -by combining their differences in character, personality, skills and competences- enriches creativity and boosts productivity. The interaction of two or more individuals creates mental challenge, healthy antagonism, self-discipline, structured thinking, competitiveness, stronger effort and self-motivation.

As a most recent and successful case in point, the Greek national football teams victorious run at the 2004 European Championship, serves as a compelling example of the synergy effect. Most of us, more or less, knew of the limitations (in individual talent) regarding the members of our national football team. Before the tournament began none of our players, when standing alone or as a team, could be considered an equal or even threatening opponent to the players and the teams they were set to compete against. Yet, once each of these individuals was disciplined, challenged and trained to work collectively (as part of a team), they were able to defy all odds and achieve what could only be described as a miraculous feat. Proof that only by giving up any ego or selfish tendency and sharing the responsibility with others could the players' individual strengths, as well as weaknesses, be turned into a powerful tool for success.

This example reminds us of the importance of listening to others, accepting that they may know more than we do, respecting their opinions and learning to rely on their support. We must give added value to the team by offering our knowledge, experience and ideas. All individuals are different, and it is this uniqueness that serves as their greatest strength. We must therefore learn to discipline ourselves in accepting this particular distinctiveness if we are to participate, with an open mind and unselfish manner, as part of a team. Instead of attempting to limit a colleagues, friends or subordinates opinion, we should try to harness their input and its contribution to an idea or solution. Only then can those entrusted with applying the true essence of management, provide companies with very best its people have to offer.