This is a chapter-by-chapter summary of a book by late Stephen R. Covey, writer of the most-effective personal development book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change (first published 1989). One chapter, one article. Read this summary, buy the book. Grow!
Synergy is the combination of all the other previous habits which gives us the potential of uncovering new possibilities and benefits that we couldn’t gain without it. When we try to accomplish something by ourselves, sometimes it’s very hard, takes too much time or it is just impossible and not worthwhile. However, if we synergize, not only do we have the capability of achieving it, but we can make the most out of it as well.
A simple example would be two persons trying to get the apples from a tall tree. Individually they would spend too much energy to get them or maybe it would be impossible due to the height. In that case, if we symbolize each other as 1 then we have 1 = 0 and 1 = 0. On the other hand, if they synergize by one of them carrying the other one on his shoulders they would reach as many apples as they want. In that case, we have 1 + 1 = 2 and more. Much more!
Imagine that even our body uses different substances and they all synergize so they can keep up with constantly satisfying countless biological and vital needs. The power of synergy is immeasurable, like a miracle.
As Covey states: “Synergy is the essence of Principle-Centred Leadership. It is the essence of principle-centered parenting. It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest powers within people. All the habits we have covered prepare us to create the miracle of synergy. What is synergy? Simply defined, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. It means that the relationship which the parts have to each other is a part in and of itself. It is not only a part, but the most catalytic, the most empowering, the most unifying, and the most exciting part.”
Two (or More) Is Better than One. Synergize!
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