SYNERGYTHE CONCEPT OF TEAMWORK

SYNERGY - its definition. the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.

to be able to create an environment of teamwork and partnership between/among individuals aiming for a common goal.

“Synergy is the creation of a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts.“

A partnership creates synergy by combining the complementary knowledge, skills, and resources of its different partners. When a partnership achieves a high level of synergy, the group, as a whole, is able to think in new and better ways about the issues it is trying to address, take more comprehensive actions to address those issues, and develop a stronger, and more supportive, relationship with the broader community.

A team needs four necessary traits in order to become synergistic and succeed:

1. clear team purpose

2. solid communication

3. empowerment so the team can lead themselves

4. a commitment to the goal.

BE CLEAR Goals need to be clearly defined for each person to understand how and in what role he/she will need to create and fulfill a team’s success. Understanding the team’s goals and purpose and knowing how you will achieve them is empowering.

COMMUNICATE Communication is vital in team members so they know where the ball is and where it is going. Just as crucial for the organizational team, all need on-going communication in order to stay productive, overcome obstacles, and check progress towards targets.

EMPOWERMENT extent to which someone provides the encouragement, tools, and authority to others enabling them to use their power, talents and skills effectively. Empowering your team to help them lead themselves creates trust and innovative behavior, in turn, a synergistic team and coaching.

COMMITMENT being a member of a team requires personal commitment and dedication to the overall success of a team. Once we harness the power of synergy within a team we can accomplish anything.

BASIC FUNDAMENTALS IN CREATING A POSITIVE SYNERGY

• SHARED VISION, VALUES AND GOALS

"Begin with the end in mind". Give people a sense of purpose. Goals work as a motor for motivation, however, a shared goal needs to be matched with clear roles. When each team member has clear roles and responsibilities, the risk of overlap or gap of work can be reduced significantly.

BASIC FUNDAMENTALS IN CREATING A POSITIVE SYNERGY • GOOD LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP

Leadership is intertined with followership. In order to create a good team synergy, good leaders and followers must co-exist. When less people try to lead and actually be good followers, willing to listen, to be led and cooperate with others, the task at hand can be completed much more efficiently and effectively.

BASIC FUNDAMENTALS IN CREATING A POSITIVE SYNERGY • TRUST, RESPECT AND COMPASSION

When every individual works and communicates with the basis of trust, respect and compassion, everyone will feel that their contribution is as valuable as the next person – and vice versa, and therefore each person will give their best work for the Team. A compassionate individual will be conscious of the impact of their action on others. In result, everyone will pull their own weights, and collaboratively reach Synergy.

BASIC FUNDAMENTALS IN CREATING A POSITIVE SYNERGY • POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

Like human relationships, Synergy is a constant process and must be managed. It's a never ending journey that you and your team as the crew of a ship, embark upon together and must constantly row and work to reach it. An effective Team is capable to resolve differences by finding and managing the best solutions from the team member’s contributions, despite differences of skills, opinions, strengths, weaknesses and talents.

"Nobody can achieve success alone."- Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha