Often a book of this caliber can wear you down. it challenges you in emotional ways that are not common in today’s society. There’s a good chance that not everyone will get this far through the book let alone complete it and implement the strategies required for effectiveness. who knows?
All the previous habits have come together in such a way as to prepare us for chapter 6- Synergize. The definition of Synergy is that The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
When we look back at the public victory chapters we notice the step by step process towards effective human interaction. we firstly agree and acknowledge a paradigm that is committed to mutual benefits. Step two is to actually listen and understand the person or people we are communicating with.
The final step held within this chapter is our ability to seek and find synergistic solutions which will stem from mutual trust, understanding and respect. if you seriously want synergy to work, it’s about valuing differences. regardless of perceived weaknesses it is the differences that provide the fuel for solutions.
We have all heard of the phrase one plus one equals three haven’t we? welcome to synergy. Two planks of wood held together will sustain considerable more weight than the combination of two single pieces and the chapter outlines many such examples.
Synergistic Communication
This is the opening of your mind and heart to new possibilities, options and alternatives. It’s an exciting concept which I shared in the most part through sporting teams aligned for certain goals but it is equally as powerful in the business sector and in family life.
Synergy in The Classroom
There is certainly a need for a level of emotional maturity but in essence, synergy can be extremely powerful. put a mixture of creativity and imagination in a brainstorming environment and the results can be staggering.
Synergy in Business
Covey describes some very powerful moments when synergy really opened his eyes to possibilities. this is where all egos are to be left at the door, trust, mutual respect and openness is welcomed with open arms in an endeavor to find powerful solutions.
Fishing for the Third Alternative
It doesn’t have to be my way; it doesn’t have to be your way. But there does have to be a way With trust, openness, a positive emotional bank account and a win/win attitude, a third alternative is absolutely possible.
Negative Synergy
This is opposite to the cooperative approach. Manipulation and a deep seated need to get what they want is a characteristic prevalent in today’s corporate world. Businessmen who talk the talk when it comes to win/win but fail to walk the walk can often be left floundering amongst the accomplishments of good, sincere communicators.
Valuing the Differences
The key to accepting differences lies in the knowledge that all people see the world not as it is but as they are. The reality is that two people can disagree but both are right. if you don’t believe me, refer to the diagrams on pages 25 and 26. it totally depends on your own personal paradigm. unless we value the differences and accept that both parties may be right, we will never be able to escape the limits of our prior conditioning.
The chapter finishes with the topics of Force Field Analysis and all nature Is Synergistic. Perhaps I leave these two sections to you, your imagination and your natural curiosity that wants to know more. to be able to take advantage of synergy, we need to understand and value the different opinions of others. it doesn’t matter if you think they are right or wrong. what matters is that you listen, understand and think win/win on your way to finding a third alternative that benefits all parties.
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