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We had a great time, although it was cut short due to snow in Georgia.Our theme this year was Success Through Synergy. I was struck by how an ancient principle (and a 1990’s business buzzword) really resonated as a strategy for 2025. Let’s go back. Way back. In the New Testament, "sunergos" described those who worked side-by-side in ministry, united by a common purpose greater than themselves. This wasn't just about showing up and doing your part – it was about a deep, intentional partnership that multiplied impact. The key is multiplication.
When people are working synergistically, the result is 1 + 1 = More than 2.
As Stephen Covey wisely noted, "Synergy is not the same as compromise. In a compromise, one plus one equals one and a half at best." True synergy doesn't diminish – it multiplies. It's the difference between a group of talented individuals working independently and a unified team creating breakthrough solutions no one could have developed alone.In my work with various organizations, I've observed that genuine synergy rests on four essential pillars:
1. Trust is the foundation. When team members know they can depend on each other, take risks without fear, and speak openly, they stop holding back their best ideas and efforts. Trust creates the safety needed for innovation and excellence to flourish.
2. Humility makes space for others' strengths. The most effective leaders I've worked with understand that they don't have all the answers. They actively seek out diverse perspectives and create environments where every team member can contribute their unique talents.
3. Alignment gives synergy direction. Just as those early Christian partners were unified in their mission, today's teams need a compelling shared purpose. When everyone understands and believes in where they're going, individual efforts naturally complement rather than compete.
4. Communication breathes life into the other elements. Regular, honest dialogue builds trust, demonstrates humility, and reinforces alignment. But it must go beyond surface-level updates to include the tough conversations that clear obstacles and strengthen relationships.
The ancient Greeks and early Christian communities understood something vital about human collaboration that many modern organizations are rediscovering: when people truly work together, united by purpose and guided by these principles, they can achieve what seemed impossible alone.
Remember, just as "sunergos" meant more than mere cooperation in ancient times, true synergy today requires more than putting talented people in the same room. It demands intentional leadership that creates the conditions for multiplication rather than addition. When you get it right, the results will speak for themselves.
