There was 1 out in the bottom of the 8th inning in game two of the American League Divisional Series. The Orioles were down 6-3 with an inning. Delmon Young steps to the plate with bases loaded and a chance to be the hero. Delmon Young is just a bench player, his role isn’t important right? We’ll get to that soon enough.
How often does synergy play a role in your life, at work and home? You probably don’t think about it often but you are synergizing at work every day. As defined by Steven Covey and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, “the sum is greater than all its parts”. To me, that is the definition of a “High-Synergy Society”. High-Synergy Societies are when groups come together to use resources, share wealth, are cooperative, nonaggressive and look for a mutual advantage.
The opposite of love isn’t hate, it’s not caring. Unfortunately, the opposite of High-Synergy Societies is what’s known as a Low-Synergy Society. Low Synergy Societies are uncooperative, antagonistic and self-centered mentality. They often think with a “win-lose” mentality. A win-lose mentality occurs when there is only one person will come out victorious or in other words, got what they wanted. Why is this bad for a global leader trying to be successful in business?
A win-lose mentality may get you to the top. However, in the process, you have stepped on everyone to get there. People remember the way they are treated by their boss or co-worker. Why would they want to work for someone that always has the win-lose mentality? The answer is simple, they wouldn’t. Approaching anything in life, especially global leadership takes a win-win mentality. Using all of your resources and bringing staff together will not only make your job easier but you will be more successful. Sometimes working together as a team takes courage. You may not get all of the glory that you would like but in the long run it will pay off in bigger ways.
Without synergy where would any sports team be? They would have to be golfers because to be a team you must be able to synergize. Delmon Young sat on the bench for 8 innings and became the hero. He is the ultimate team player, which, in a way, is synergy. Delmon could be a starter on many teams but he chose Baltimore to fill a role. He filled that role and more today! The “team” won. One player never wins a game. He or she might make the team’s chances of winning better but it takes a team to win. This easy lesson can be applied to companies all over the globe. Working together and creating synergy is what it takes to be an effective team (company). Effective teams (companies) win. Period.
Let’s go O’s!!!
Moran, R.T, Harris, P.R, Moran, S.V. (2011) Managing Cultural Differences Leadership Skills and Strategies for Working in a Global World. Oxford: Routledge
Covey, S. R. (2004). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethic. New York: Free Press.
Tom Decker says
I think your win-lose mentality opinion is an important one to consider when you’re trying to understand and build team synergy. As I read your blog, what really stood out what the severity of how bad lacking team synergy can be and I immediately was able to relate to my business. I work in a call center where for as long as I’ve been there, we’ve promoted a teamwork environment. Recently we’ve adopted what we call a “scorecard” environment where our call center representatives have metrics to achieve, but instead of a specific number goal it’s in relation to their peers. The way we measure their productivity is also promoting individuality and not operating as a team. They are now all accountable and only interested in their own results. They way you described synergy helped me to realize how we’ve been moving away from it. To help reinforce that danger, our turnover is growing and engagement has been the lowest I’ve seen it. I’m actually going to bring this to our leadership team as evidence in hopes to create more attention and conversation around what type of culture we truly wish to create. Thanks for your perspective.
Brian Redmond says
No worries Brian. If you want me to edit it for you I can.
kac5815 says
Funny, I literally just finished watching the Orioles win the game. I didn’t realize it until this class how often synergy does play a role in my everyday life. And it’s probably just as you stated, I don’t even think about it often. It actually happens more often than not, especially at work. I agree with you that people will always remember how they are treated by their boss or co-worker. A win-win mentality is important at the workplace as well as anything in life. I have been in a situation where the leader has a win-lose mentality and it is not a good feeling. As an employee you want to work for someone that leads their employees to succeed not to fail. I think that the leader needs to be successful in order for his/her employees to be successful. And if they aren’t then it is a reflection on the leader. As you stated, in the long run it will pay off in bigger ways. I think that you did a great job relating the Orioles to synergy. Great job! And Go Orioles!
bqp5201 says
I’m sorry. I completely forgot to put a title… Should be How Synergy relates to our everyday lives