The Power of Synergy and the Danger(s) of Syncretism

I think a lot about words – their meaning, their power to persuade (for good or for ill), to clarify or to obfuscate (that is, to obscure or make hidden, to either intentionally hinder someone’s understand or to actually mislead or deceive him –see what I mean? J) I like to explore the etymology of a word – that is, its original meaning(s) and then to see how the meaning and/or use of that word has changed over time. Have such changes served to make the word under consideration more effective, more influential for good, or has the meaning of that word deteriorated with time and is now being used to lead us into a direction(s) unhelpful, or even harmful, to us?

For example, I have been thinking about the words “syncretism” and “synergy.”  First, we note that both words have the prefix “syn,” and anytime you have a word beginning with “sym” or “syn,” it means the thought or idea or reality under consideration is “together with” something. Think of common words such as symmetry, syndicate, symphony, et al.

First – the Power of Synergy

Symphony literally means “with sound” and as such aptly describes what happens when an orchestra of many different individual instruments are synchronized (“timed together”) so that they create this unbelievably beautiful harmony of sound that literally creates a powerful emotional force for / within the mind, heart (yea, even the soul) of those who hear this beautiful musical composition. (We are assuming here that the musicians are capable ones who each play their instruments as the composer intended and as an excellent conductor has coached and led them to do so!)

Notice that when this orchestral performance is unfolding, a true synergy (energies coming together) occurs. This release of the energy of sound, of that which was created by the “coming together” music from all of these different musicians playing their individual instruments “together” stirs the emotion(s) – even to tears or deeply felt joy and contentment – exciting the imagination of the listeners.  The symphony is but one example of synergy at work. Speaking of work, you have heard the expression “two heads are better than one.” This is an expression of how a team of people working together – in business, science, etc. – problem solving efforts of all kinds,  can create a synergy of their own.

One of the most valuable assets that a manager or supervisor brings to the table is his or her “team building” skills. You will find that a sales manager or a production manager who can bring together a group of unique individuals, each with his/her own gifts, talents and abilities as well as with his/her own quirks, idiosyncrasies and needs and bring them together as a unified team all working together to achieve the team’s (and hence, the department’s and the company’s) goals, will experience the blessing of a positive, effective synergy which will manifest the truth of the ideal that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” The synergy created by and efficient and effective team takes them all to a significantly higher level of performance.

This can readily be seen and understood when we consider professional team sports such as basketball, baseball, football, hockey, soccer, volleyball.

The ability of any given professional athlete of your chosen sport is on par with that of his or her team mates and that of his or her competitors on the other professional teams of their league or division.  By way of analogy, if we were considering racing, the difference between the individuals, or the vehicles racing to cross the finish line would not be a difference measured in seconds. Rather, the difference in their athletic abilities would be measured in tenths of a second, or in hundredths of a second! Why is it, then, that only one team can win the championship, or, more to the point, become a part of the building and the legend of a dynasty in that sport? The answer lies in the synergy that is created by that winning team!

Next time – the Dangers of Syncretism