The Synergy Effect

Have you ever considered that everything you want in life comes from someone else? The greatest minds in any field are keenly aware of the value of working with and involving others in life plans, business, work and personal commitments.

We often have the notion that we operate in a vacuum, and that we are solely responsible for everything that happens in our lives. It is true that you are solely responsible for the thoughts you think and the things to which you choose to be committed. But when you reflect on all of your accomplishments, it becomes evident that many people play various roles in your achievements and pursuits. Since others are almost always involved at some level in our lives, a good question to ponder is how to effectively involve others more meaningfully.

Synergy, according to Webster's Dictionary is the "cooperative action of discrete agencies such that the total effect is greater than the sum of the effects taken independently." Note that a single horse can pull several thousand pounds. Two horses of equal size can pull nearly 4 times that. One community volunteer, who learned late in life the value of working with others, commented upon receiving a presidential award: "I thought about how you can't do anything by yourself, but with other people you can change things." What a simple yet profound truth! One key area to focus upon is the manner in which they seek others to be enrolled in what is important to them. The first step, of course, is to realize the value of others.

Next, we need to select the right people to work with us, to flesh out what we desire to create. Potential helpers are everywhere. Another important task for effective people is to clearly communicate the project or goal at hand. The help that is needed will lift any project into the stratosphere. This is similar to the "mastermind group" as outlined in Napoleon Hill's best-seller, Think and Grow Rich. In the chapter about the mastermind group, Hill expounds on the importance of aligning others in word, deed and advisement on any project. Hill further declares that a separate and distinct mind is created in the assembly of such a group and that the power derived from it is profound indeed.

Carefully look for more effective ways of communication. Not only is this enriching, the lives of others will also be enriched in countless ways. The real call here is to take on an attribute of leadership to draw others in. Synergy is a dynamic form of leverage. Avoid using it, and end up working four times as hard for half the results. Use it and watch the results expand exponentially!

Eric Johnson is a regular contributor to the Investor's Value View newsletter. To learn how to reach Mr. Johnson for comments or to subscribe to the Investor's Value View newsletter, visit http://www.valueview.net

---

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 6, Deadlocked Discussions

Although a meeting is a vehicle for resolving differences, it... Read More

Miraculous Leadership

It was a time of turmoil. In November 1979, supporters... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#2) Technical

SET CLEAR AND REASONABLE OBJECTIVES FOR THEMSELVES AND OTHERS: Plan?... Read More

The Six Essential Leadership Attributes

Leadership is the foundation for all organizations, whether corporate, nonprofit... Read More

8 Questions to Ask if You Want to be a Better Leader

Those that have successfully made the transition from manager to... Read More

A Whack Up Long Side The Head Of Human Resources: The Leadership Imperative

When we perceive the simple center in the seemingly complex,... Read More

Leadership Training: The Bit They Didn?t Tell You About Changing!

A willingness to change first is one of the major... Read More

Ten Qualities Of A Great Leader - Plus 1

Great Leaders are optimists first and foremost. Their tendency is... Read More

Effective Leaders are (#3) Communicative

LISTEN, WRITE, AND ARTICULATE EFFECTIVELY: Leadership positions require effective communication... Read More

Wanted: A Dictionary-Perfect Leader

Answers are often before our very eyes or in front... Read More

Managing Monsters in Meetings - Part 7, Personal Attacks

Personal attacks hurt people, mar communication, and end creativity. If... Read More

The Ten Commandments of Leadership

A poem hangs on the wall at Mother Theresa's orphanage... Read More

Building Self Confidence

As a hypnotherapist I specialise in helping people to develop... Read More

Leadership Skills - 10 Ways to Beef Up

10 Ways to Beef Up Your Leadership SkillsHave you ever... Read More

Leadership ? Push vs. Pull?

At your next staff meeting consider leading your team through... Read More

Four Obstacles to Exceptional Leadership--Part 1

"Most of our obstacles would melt away if, instead of... Read More

Seven Personal Characteristics Of A Good Leader

How often have you heard the comment, "He or she... Read More

The Seven Army Values - Theyre Not Just For The Military

The Army defines seven values that soldiers should strive to... Read More

None of Us Arrived with an Owners Manual: A Fresh Perspective on the Drive to Lead (part 2)

Why didn't I get an Owner's ManualAfter a little while... Read More

Give Your Valentine A Very Special Gift - Empowerment

Delegating is a commonly misunderstood concept. Delegating is not about... Read More

Take the Road Less Traveled

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took... Read More

Why You Should Ignore This Advice

Doesn't make too much sense does it? Am I really... Read More

Reinventing Failure: Designing Success

I am fascinated by problems. I like to think of... Read More

People Problems -- Understanding the Dueling Paradigms

You've spent the last 12 years riding your technical skills... Read More

Dont be Afraid to Lead!

In most aspects of human activity, the pendulum of fashion... Read More