Habit 6: Synergize

Habit 6, "Synergize," is the habit of creative cooperation. It means "two heads are better than one". Synergize is about teamwork, open-mindedness, and the adventure of finding new solutions to old problems. Synergy allows us to discover jointly things we are much less likely to discover by ourselves. It's the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts—one plus one equals three, or six, or sixty.

Synergy is not just a philosophy or concept—it's a process through which people bring all their personal experience and expertise to the table. Together, they can produce far better results than they could individually. When people begin to interact genuinely and are open to each other's influence, they begin to gain new insight. The capability of inventing new approaches is increased exponentially because of differences.

Valuing differences is what really drives synergy. Instead of seeing differences as weaknesses or barriers, they should be seen as strengths that add zest to life. Synergy works best when there is a foundation of trust and mutual respect, which comes from practicing Habits 1 through 5. Covey explains that done right, Habit 6 can produce extraordinary results by producing new alternatives never before considered.

You know you are synergizing when you have a change of heart, feel new energy and excitement, see things in a new way, feel that the relationship has transformed, or end up with an idea or result that is better than what either of you started with.

Practical Example: Imagine a scenario where a marketing team is tasked with launching a new product. Instead of each member working independently on their respective segments—like social media, press releases, and graphic design—they come together in a series of collaborative brainstorming sessions. During these sessions, each member contributes their unique expertise and viewpoints. The social media specialist suggests leveraging trending hashtags, while the graphic designer proposes eye-catching visuals that align with the product's message. The synergy occurs when these ideas intermingle and evolve, leading to a comprehensive promotional strategy that none of the team members would have developed individually. The final marketing campaign is not just a collection of individual efforts but a cohesive, innovative strategy that exceeds expectations. This example illustrates how effective collaboration and valuing differences can lead to superior results.