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Synergism "My prayers for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father-that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." (John 17: 21) In his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey posits, "synergy is the essence of principle-centered leadership. It is the essence of principle-centered parenting. It catalyzes, unifies, and unleashes the greatest powers within people" (pg. 262). In essence we know that an organization possesses synergy when the whole of that organization is greater than its individual parts. Why then is such an amazing concept so difficult to attain? In today's workplace the reason 70 percent of employees leave their jobs is because they do not feel appreciated. Combine this with all the energy spent by management in conflict resolution and one can appreciate how synergy in the workplace has the potential to impact our economy dramatically. If people would work together for one common goal placing others above self we would reduce employee turnover by 70 percent, which would save companies billions of dollars in costs. Lack of synergy is not only relegated to the work force. I suggest that lack of synergy within families is one of the major reasons for the chaos within the American family, which becomes the core reason for such high drug and suicide problem among youth today. It seems that individualism has won over the ideal of placing the interest of others above self. In a world where adults are obsessed with satisfying the lust of their flesh others, and most painful youth, become victims. As we read the prayer above, Jesus is not praying for people to become human drones but for a unity grounded on something greater than self, our Creator. The prayer is not for people to be carbon copies of each other but for people to find oneness-synergy-with their creator and in so doing find oneness with each other. Synergy then is best exemplified in an identity that seeks what is best for others as we value them as unique interventions of our Creator. It is only when people see that we are able to find unity through our Creator, not only in our workplace but also in our families that the world then will want to exemplify this synergy. Synergy in essence is oneness; only achievable through our oneness with our creator we seek a higher power than ourselves. A power exemplified by a sacrificial death. No greater love exists than that when we die for others. Lord allow me to find oneness with you so that I can then find synergy with others. Meditation: Think back when was the last time you placed the interest of others above yours?
Jorge L. Valdes, Ph.D.
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