Balancing the Synergy Habit

The late Stephen R. Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, is a foundational work in both the personal and professional world.  When I first read this book in 1990, I immediately knew it was a book I would keep on my bookshelf for life and refer back to regularly – and over 28 years later that has proven to be true.  I have read this inspiring book several times.  I have listened to the audiobook.  I have referred back to it often.  I have quoted it many times.  I have recommended it to many people.  In this book, Stephen Covey relates the importance of 7 key habits to success which are:

1. Be Proactive
2. Begin with the End in Mind
3. Put First Things First
4. Think Win/Win
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
6. Synergize
7. Sharpen the Saw

The first three habits he categorizes as Private Victories – each an important aspect of having a successful private life.  Habits #4-7 he categorizes as Public Victories – each an important aspect of having a successful business and professional life.

Habit #6, Synergize, is an important aspect of working as team in which the efforts of the group are greater than the sum of its parts… 1 + 1 is always greater than 2.  As an owner of a small online business, I work very independently and in fact mostly alone.  I have recognized over the years that working within a team creates energy and accountability.  However, I have also found that in order to be productive I need to have time alone to focus.  As a person who is much more productive during alone time, this balance is very important to me.  I have a difficult time being productive when I am surrounded with conversations and activities.  As I pursue my business, I recognize the importance of finding that ideal balance of time spent within a team to all this synergy and yet enough focused productive time to allow individuals to focus.  This balance may be different for different personalities so it is important to recognize that and allow each person to find that balance within the team.

1 + 1 is certainly always greater than 2 but will be much greater than 2 when each team member is given the respect and freedom to find their own ideal balance between team time and individual time.