The Achilles Team recently read through “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, by Stephen R. Covey. Last week we discussed the fifth Habit, “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood”. The sixth Habit is “Synergize”. This is all about working together—two heads are better than one. In the chapter on Habit 5, we talked about the importance of listening and truly understanding others. This openness lays the groundwork for Synergize.
Achilles Group team member, Jennifer Ray, comments, “Synergy is one of those things we talk about- one of those fancy words we throw around in meetings- where everyone shakes their heads in agreement and understanding… then goes back to their desks and puts in their earbuds or closes the door. It is truly a practiced and learned skill, it is believing that we are better, faster and stronger when we’re working and thinking as a team.”
The nature of Synergize means being respectful in disagreements, building on strengths, and complementing each other’s weaknesses. Every team member brings something different to the table. If you have a willingness to learn from each other, different perspectives and thoughts can be brought together to make a strong team. Jennifer elaborates:
“To me, Synergy is the amazing multiplicative effect of open collaboration in a relationship where there is trust, respect and communication, and it’s something that can have an amazing impact on both your personal and professional life. Synergy is about capitalizing on all of the combined life experience of your team, their knowledge and talents. It’s about allowing each person’s strength to add to your own to create the best possible product you can for your customer.”
So instead of shying away from our differences, we should value them. Respecting each other, and considering other people’s ideas, perspectives and viewpoints will make for a better and stronger team. Next week, we will discuss our last Habit, “Sharpen the Saw”.
