We know that synergy exists amongst a group of individuals working to achieve a common goal, but one thing I’ve noticed is that synergy really only exists when the group has the ability to contribute and the motivation to work together. Differences within each team are almost always there on purpose but what if the team’s differences are keeping them from working together? I’m currently part of a team where a lot of our differences keep us from obtaining any synergy. You could say that maybe we lack a truly motivating goal. Something to work together for. We tend to spend too much time on our petty differences.
Our culture doesn’t necessarily promote synergy either. We work in an environment where our performance is based on how we rank compared to our peers so we are in constant competition with each other, on top of that our culture doesn’t do a good job at helping us to realize our goals as an organization. Our goals are performance based. They’re not great at motivating us to work together.
When I was in the Coast Guard, that was when I experienced synergy at its best. You could call it synergy because of how different we were having come from all over the country but so good at knowing each others roles and coming together when necessary. You could consider it cultural synergy because of how we were all trained to operate and think alike in certain situations. Either way, despite having major differences, to the point of major disagreements, when someones life was on the line, we were the most efficient team you’ve ever seen. Now that’s synergy. Below is a picture of the 41 foot Utility Boat that we often took out on search and rescue missions. The crew was a minimum of 3 and we often went out with 4 or 5, all working together to complete our mission.
But we had a goal and when it came time to execute on that goal, nothing could stop us and maybe that’s what we truly lack now as a team. We all have the ability to contribute, that is true but we are struggling with motivation. We need to find something that we are all equally passionate about. Maybe it’s our customer, maybe it’s our staff but we need to build a hard goal around that to help build synergy within the team. When things go wrong and the one thing that we are all passionate about begins to suffer, maybe then, that’s when we can achieve the synergy that we so sorely need.
First, thank you for your service!
I believe that individuals in the military, athletics, public safety professionals and other large group effort organizations understand the synergy you refer to, but sadly they don’t make up the majority of our citizenry. Before teaching, I worked in public safety for 12yrs and can tell you that the ability of a team to assess an emergency, mitigate the immediate danger and suppress any that may follow is not only an incredible example of synergy at it’s finest, but an experience that you never forget and long for years after your last time. As a music teacher I can share this idea with my performing ensembles and they understand the rewards of everyone contributing to the goal, but the intensity of what I experienced at the other job where lives are on the line is a completely different situation and helps keep me motivated to push my students further than they think they can go.
Your post makes me think of what is the purpose and motivation in what we do. Synergy is the result of purpose I feel and the motivation is given in that environment. Society as a whole struggles with purpose I find and your belief that synergy in the U.S. is lacking is true. We live in a society that values competition and perseverance amongst a group often and synergy is thought to happen when everyone does their own job. This may be true in circumstances, however, maybe we would find better results within organizations if synergy was valued.. Better yet.. I find synergy to exist where people feel a sense of purpose and in particular when they are connected with people.
Is there a specific leader in your group or perhaps a manager overseeing the communication in your group? Could the difficulties in accomplishing synergy be corrected by synergistic leadership practices? Perhaps having someone guide the group and educating the team on new interpersonal and organizational skills so that group members can communicate and cooperate toward a mutual benefit (Moran, et. al., 2011). I imagine this factor is one of the main reasons you experienced such great synergy with the Coast Guard. Leaders are trained and subordinates are consistently educated on ways to work together to accomplish a common goal. Synergistc leaders are key to creating a positive work environment followed closely by the group’s ability to accept and adapt to change. Cross-cultural synergy is dependent upon the group’s ability to encourage each other and work together instead of competing. I definitely think you should look to your leader or leaders to initiate this attitude on your group.
Reference
Moran, R. T., Harris, P. R., & Moran, S. V. (2011). Managing cultural differences: Leadership skills and strategies for working in a global world. New York: Elsevier.
I think you have synergy in all companies, but in the military it takes on more importance. Everyone is going to have a different background, path that got them to where they are, or how long they have been doing what they do. The key though is like you said when it came time for a mission, everyone knew exactly what their role was and how they were supposed to do it. It goes back to doing it by regulations, in most instances, and everyone does it the same way so all the parts work together and yu do not have the disagreements or arguments.