Synergy is defined as the “The interaction or cooperation of two or more organisations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.” To put it in simple words, it is unity in diversity.
Diversity is one of the many benefits that synergy brings in. It is important in an organisation because it creates a multicultural environment which allows people to benefit from a variety of ideas and fresh perspectives. It also opens up the possibility of finding a better solution in every situation. Synergy is not the ‘good’ that you can achieve by working separately. It is the ‘great’ that you can achieve by working together. Synergy is to accept the differences, value them, respect each other, build on your strengths and indemnify the weaknesses.
It is about understanding the fact that disagreement or a different opinion can bring a new perspective to your idea. Stephen R. Covey lists ‘Synergise’ as the 6th habit of highly effective people in the timeless bestseller, ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.’ He writes, “Valuing the differences is the essence of synergy – the mental, the emotional and the psychological differences between people. And the key to valuing those differences is to realise that all people see the world, not as it is, but as they are.”
Creativity and innovation stem out of synergy. It creates an environment that gives people the freedom to share their ideas without the fear of embarrassment. It fosters a feeling of trust which is the basis of creating a collaborative environment. Working in a group helps you to discover, explore, gain insights, enhance skills and unleash the power within an individual, a team or an organisation.
The power of synergy in business
Some of the greatest organisations in the world have been built by the collaboration of extremely talented people with unique skill sets who understand the power of synergy. That’s how Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak worked in partnership to create the largest technology company in the world. While Steve Jobs was great at talking business and dealing with people, Wozniak was a computer engineer with a diehard love for his work. Their creative cooperation led to the establishment of Apple Computers, Inc. in 1976.
Another example of the power of synergy is the world-renowned ‘The Walt Disney Company’. Originally established in 1923 as the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, the company is a brainchild of brothers Walt Disney and Roy O. Disney. Walt handled all the creative part of the company while Roy took care of the business and finances. Working in cooperation with each other, they built a company that emerged as a pioneer and leader in the animation industry. Microsoft cofounders Bill Gates and Paul Allen are yet another example of how synergising can create organisations that bring revolution in the industry.
Synergy is a win/win strategy. By introducing synergy within your team, you create an atmosphere that loosens up every restraining force holding your enterprise from moving ahead. When you involve people in the process of solving a problem, individual goals turn into shared goals. They feel immersed in the atmosphere and become a crucial part of the solution. When people work in unison, they gain new insights, develop fresh perspectives, create new opportunities and come up with creative solutions or alternatives that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The entire movement of synergising is contagious and creates a culture that takes your enterprise to new heights in ways that no one would have anticipated. In the words of Michael Jordan, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” The choice is yours to make. It’s time to go beyond every preconceived notion and take up the challenge of championship together. SynergenOG has always believed in its workforce and digitalisation as a valuable resource. We are glad to have the word synergy in its name and we continue to live by it!
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SynergenOG is an engineering and consultancy company headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and several offices globally. For more insight, visit our website.