Habit 6: Synergy

Summery

This is what every group needs in order to complete the job. The ability to put more than one mind together and to collaborate to put something together.

Build Complementary Teams

In a group, each member brings a different view. Here are 5 different types of people in a group:

Plodders: Stick to the job and also do not stray from it
Followers: Listen and side with the leader when they make decsions
Innovators: Are creative in the group, they offer most of the ideas
Harmonizers: Work well with everyone and unites the group together
Show-offs: Can be fun, but difficult to work with

Go for the 3rd Alternative

There are going to be issues in a group. Here is a step-by-step to solve the problem:

Define the problem: Understand what the problem really is in the group
Listen to their views: Like learned in Habit 5 (Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood), you need to be sure that you listen to the other peoples views
Share your views: Now that you have heard their problems, share what you think on the situation
Brainstorm: Come up with different plans or ideas that everyone contributed to
Choose the best idea: Choose the best plan or idea that everyone can agree on and that is best for the group.

Remove Barriers

Humans are Humans. There are several things that can lead to negative synergy. These roadblocks need to be removed in order to get back to synergy:

Ego: is when you are only thinking about yourself. If you are only thinking about what is best for you it creates negative synergy. You have to be humble with the accomplish and also your ideas in a group. You also have to be accepting of everyone in the group no matter race or ideology.
No Private Victory: this is when you are insecure around the group and cant become vulnerable. If you are insecure then you doubt your ability to share your ideas to the group. You have to be open with your opinions and ideas in a group.
Win-Lose Thinking: is when you claim that you can do things better than someone or that you are better at something than the other person. This can cause a lot of problems in a group and does not create a good environment. It is okay for other people to have ideas, you just have to accept that you may not have the answer or the best idea at that point in time.
Cliques: this is when groups form within a group. This can be a problem in groups, because it will leave people out of decision making for the group. This means that everyone is not sharing their ideas and people are being left out or that people aren't being included. To avoid this, be sure to include everyone and make sure that before the decision is made that everyone knows about it and that everyone is happy about it.

Synergy in a College Students Success'

This habit can be applied to everyday life for a student. This habit will become very helpful when working in a group for a project or even in a study group. When a student is able to synergies in a group, then the group will become more productive and united.