The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People Blog Series: Habit Six- SYNERGIZE

Habit Six: Synergize: This habit is all about creating something better together than we ever could alone. It emphasizes combining strengths, communicating effectively, and valuing differences. Synergy invites us to embrace our differences and use them as a source of strength rather than allowing them to separate us. At the heart of synergyis creativity. Creativity opens the door to new opportunities, but it also requires trusting the process, embracing the unknown, and having the confidence that collaboration will lead to something greater that we could ever achieve alone.

When we close ourselves off to synergy, we turn away from differences instead of using them as opportunities to create something greater. We feel threatened by other perspectives and instead of understanding, we judge, or do not listen at all. Synergy cannot exist when we close ourselves off. It thrives on confidence, curiosity and willingness to work together.

So how can we incorporate synergy into our lives? Begin by asking questions, listening to understand, and looking for ways to combine your strengths with others. When conflicts arise, do not let them discourage you from creating synergy. Instead, focus on finding solutions that benefit everyone rather than focusing on being right. For example, imagine three college roommates with different personalities and strengths: one is a talented writer, another artistic, the third is outgoing and social. How can they turn these differences into synergy? By combining their unique skills, they create a play together. The writer creates the script, the artist designs the visuals, the extrovert performs and engages the audience. Together they synergize something greater than any of them could have done alone.

Synergy is all around us. It brings balance, inspiration, and creativity into everything we do. We can see it in nature, in our relationships, and in the way we work together with others. When we embrace synergy, we tap into a force that transforms differences into opportunities and ordinary efforts into creation.

If you are seeking balance or struggling to collaborate and communicate with family or coworkrs, reach out to the team of professionals at Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. on 708-633-8000. We are located at: 6819-167 th St. in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477.

Mariana Rodriguez Graduate Intern, 2025.

Reference:

Covey, S. R. (2013). The 7 habits of highly effective people: Powerful lessons in personal change (25th anniversary ed.). Simon & Schuster