Habit 6Synergize

Synergy• Synergy is achieved when two or

more people work together to create a better solution than either could alone.

• It’s not your way or my way but a better way, a higher way

Synergy

Synergy is:

• Celebrating differences

• Teamwork

• Open-mindedness

• Finding new and better ways

SynergySynergy is not:

• Tolerating differences

• Working independently

• Thinking you’re always right

• Compromise

It’s Everywhere• Synergy is

everywhere in nature

Ex. The Great Sequoia Trees grow together in clumps. Their roots are intertwined, and without each other, they would blow over in a storm.

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It’s all about Teamwork

• Synergy isn’t anything new

• If you have ever been on a team, you’ve felt it

• If you’ve ever worked within a group, you’ve felt it

• You experience synergy every single day!

It’s in the Music!

• A good band is an example of synergy

• When you put all of the sounds together it sounds complete

• It’s not just the guitar, piano, sax, drums or the vocalist; it’s a combination of all

• Each band member brings his/her personal strength—no instrument is more important than the other, just different

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Celebrating Differences

• Learn to celebrate differences

• If everyone were the same, the world would be a very boring place

• Diversity is more than just racial and gender differences

• It is about physical features, dress, language, wealth, family, religious beliefs, lifestyle, interests, age, style, etc

Celebrating Differences

• The world is a melting pot of cultures, races, religions, and ideas

• You have to decide how you are going to handle it

• Three possible approaches:

Level 1: Shun diversity

Level 2: Tolerate diversity

Level 3: Celebrate diversity

Shunners• Shunners are afraid of differences

• They are convinced that their way is the “best”, “right”, or “only” way

• They enjoy ridiculing those that are different

• They don’t mind harming “different” people emotionally or physically

Tolerators• Tolerators believe that everyone has the

right to be different

• They don’t shun diversity , but they don’t embrace it either

• Everyone should keep to themselves; don’t bother me and I won’t bother you

• They see differences as hurdles, not as potential strengths to build upon

Celebrators• Celebrators value differences• They see them as an advantage, not a

weakness• They’ve learned that two people who think

differently can achieve more than two people who think alike

• You don’t have to agree with everyone else’s opinion, but you have learned that it is important to value it

• Diversity=Creative Sparks=Opportunity

We are a Minority of One

• “We are as different from one another on the inside of our heads as we appear to be different from one another on the outside of our heads.”

-Robert Fulghum• We learn differently• We see differently• We have different styles, traits, and

characteristics

We learn differently

• Your brain does not work like the person sitting next to you

• Everyone learns differently

Lingusitic Logical-Mathematical

Bodily-Kinesthetic Spatial

Musical Interpersonal

Intrapersonal

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We learn differently

• One type isn’t better than another, only different

• You may be one or you could be a combination of a few

• Take advantage of knowing people who learn in different ways

We see differently

• Everyone sees the world differently and has a different opinion about themselves, others, and life in general

• Your past has given you the way to see things, everyone has a different past, therefore they have a different view

• Once you learn that there is more than one way to see the world, and that everyone can be right, it will increase your understanding and respect for different viewpoints

We have different styles, traits, and

characteristics• Which fruit are you??

• Do you feel that this describes your personality?

• After reading the other fruits, were you surprised at your outcome?

Celebrate your own Diversity

• Which fruit is the best??

• They are all equal because we all have different strengths and weaknesses

• No one is better or worse, only different

• Instead of trying to blend in and be like everyone else, be proud of and celebrate your unique differences and qualities

Roadblocks to Celebrating Differences

• Ignorance- means you are clueless, you don’t know what other people believe, how they feel, or what they’ve been through

• Cliques- they are so exclusive that they reject anyone who is not like them

• Prejudice- even though we are all created equally, we are not all treated equally

• Prejudice is not something that we are born with, but something that is learned

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