Synergized teams are essential for growth of an organization. Synergy is the energy or force created by the working together of various parts or processes. A synergized team is made up of divergent team members that have different strengths, different backgrounds and different perspectives. Synergy among team members is required for them to work efficiently and effectively and be productive.
Let us see how synergy makes difference. Consider an analogy of a mechanical system with many small and big gear wheels rotating to make the system its intended function. These gear wheels may be in good condition but if they cannot rotate smoothly together then there is loss in efficiency and even system may break down. Now, consider teams consisting of human beings. Assume that each team member is sufficiently qualified and well skilled. Each has a big or small role to play in the team. But, if there is no synergy among them then team will not be as efficient and effective as it could have been otherwise. It may even not be able to deliver quality product within the limits If synergy is present then a four member team will not deliver as sum of four individuals but ideally up to sixteen times compared to four members working individually. We can say that the performance of the combination is higher than that of the sum of the individual elements
Organizations adopt different policies to promote synergy among its employees. It requires efforts both at the individual end as well as at management level. Individuals have to make self improvement a continuous process both technically and as human beings. Similarly, management should not only worry about deliverables but have humility for its working team.
Stephen Covey in his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” has synergize as one of the habit. It says team collaboration is the key to a synergized team. Provide your team with tools that allow you maximize their effectiveness while harnessing the power of diversity and building synergies. One aspect of highly collaborative teams is that they communicate with each other effectively.
Again quoting from the same book, two qualities Think Win-Win and Understand First Before Being Understood must be developed by individuals to bring synergy among them. Only if all parties win then synergy will flourish otherwise its increase at one end will be neutralized by its decrease on the other hand. Also, understanding first before being understood will help in avoiding conflicts and improving inter-personal relationships.
A team member should understand that he is being paid for a purpose. Famous mentor, Robin Sharma, in his book “Leadership Wisdom” puts this as a first ritual to link paycheck to purpose. Management should make vision and mission of organization clear to all employees and also that their work, no matter how small or big, is a significant contribution to organization. If purpose or goal is clear then individual can work in a more focused way and will not have time to get involved in activities that brings down the synergy. This, usually, happens when what to do is not clear and a member gets frustrated and distracted. Fuzzy vision can prove disastrous.
A team member should develop a sense of responsibility and management should trust him. So, responsibilities must be clearly defined and assigned.
Respecting each other is another quality to be developed by all in the organization to have synergized teams.
An individual should be flexible in his attitude and approach. Always following old methods or sticking to your point without being flexible to analyze other methods and approaches blocks the way to improvement. So, if a team member is flexible to adopt good ideas put forth by other member then synergy will definitely increase.
Management also plays an important role in bringing synergy to their teams. Managers should not only track and monitor work of team members but also follow them personally. They should take care of other errands at work of team, so that members can effectively and efficiently contribute to what is assigned to them. Once Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam took family of his colleague to movie because that colleague was so absorbed in his work and forgot to fulfill promise given to his family. This should be a lesson to managers. Robin Sharma beautifully put this as Manage by Mind, Lead by Heart.
Management should recognize and reward the efforts of team members routinely and relentlessly. Appreciation in any form leads to growth in synergy.
Also, an individual should understand politics at work cannot be eliminated. So, he should adopt himself in the environment without himself being part of politics initiating.
He should only focus on worthy things and understand that growth of organization is his own growth.
Members of working as well as management should always be in continuous learning mode. They should learn skills required for their work and apply them effectively. It is equally important to read books or attend seminars on self-improvement and spirituality.
Management should provide a dynamic and exciting work environment where cross-pollination of ideas occurs and synergy flourishes. A workplace where an employee feels great to go every day. At the same, management must understand that over-systemization creates bureaucracy and leads to loss of employee potential.
To sum up, it can be stated that individual and management should strive to build a team on core competencies of individual players and to develop synergies among them thus makes its members more productive together than working independently.
