A Life Lesson in Management . . . and of the Magic of Synergy

A Tale of Two Seasons . . .

And of the Magic of Synergy

Amazing things happen and miracles take place when you have synergy! But when you don’t have it, the outcome and results can be dismal.

In my youth as an athlete, I witnessed this phenomenon first hand in two consecutive football seasons. Fortunately for me, and keeping my memories blissful, it happened in reverse order (i.e., bad season came first, good season followed next).

The experience of those two seasons also taught me a lifelong management perspective that I’ve taken with me and still use today in helping manage businesses and organizations.

Season #1 (the agony) – The team was talented, with speed and strength throughout the lineup. The quarterback had an arm like a rifle, and hopes for a successful year were high. But as the season unfolded, the team just never jelled. Early season losses tripped us up, and we soon lost our "mojo". The result was a bunch of players arguing in the huddle during games, making excuses, blaming each for mistakes, while a frustrated coach looked on helplessly. With that as a recipe, things got worse and the losses mounted. We may have won a game or two, but the season couldn’t end fast enough. Looking back on it, we were an organizational disaster.

• Management perspective: I now look back and know, as a team that year, we thought, behaved, and performed like losers. We were not a cohesive and synergistic unit. Whether it was because of poor team leadership, or just a core group of "influencers" with a negative attitude, as a team we didn’t produce results. Walking onto the field, down deep in our hearts, but not admitting it outwardly, we knew we would lose. It was a sick and deplorable feeling, and frankly, I’ve seen it and experienced while working in business organizations.

Season #2 (the ecstasy) – In the following year, certain players had graduated (gone was the “rifle-armed” quarterback), and younger players replaced them. Did we have more talent than the prior year? Probably not. We had the same coach, but somehow the team chemistry was different. Early in the season, we encountered a couple of heartbreak losses that threatened to send us down the same path as the previous year. But something miraculous happened - we pulled together, and became a team. In the next few games, we managed “come from behind” wins, and amazingly, the “magic” started to build. It turned out that we went through the remainder of the season undefeated, and even capped it off in our final game with a comeback overtime win against our rival school. It was truly a magical and memorable season.

• Management perspective: In retrospect, my experience on that team provided me with an extraordinary example of organizational synergy, and of watching what can happen when a group of people pulls together for positive results. We believed in ourselves, in each other, and in the collective group. In our minds, we knew we were winners and expected to win, no matter the odds or situation. We really didn’t have any great leaders, but I’m now convinced, that at the core of that team, was a group of influencers, who brought synergy and a positive cohesive force to the entire team. That early experience helped me recognize the magic and benefit of true synergy.

So, is there a lasting lesson? - Well, I wish I could have bottled and sold the synergy/magic that the “Season #2” team had, I’d have made millions. But I can’t, because it’s allusive and intangible. Over the years I’ve worked with many organizations, some with the winning “swagger” of the Season #2 team, and some that felt more like losers, similar to the team of Season #1. I’ve learned from both. These experiences have taught me that there are a few fundamental tips to use as a starting point in creating a positive team synergy within an organization:

• It’s about chemistry and having the right people.

• There needs to be a shared vision and goal, with buy-in at every level.

• There’s no place for negativism. It’s a cancer that spreads through an entity like wildfire.

• There’s usually a core group of influencers in every organization. Positioned with a positive outlook, they can help bring success. But should that group have a negative posture, the game is sure to be lost before it’s ever played.

• If/when problems exist, changes need to be addressed and affected immediately. When problems are left to fester, they just get worse.

• Individuals within a group need to like each other, respect each other, and have fun together. It may not be a family or “buddy-buddy“ situation, but there should be an enjoyment of working together for a common cause.

Thanks to the experience of Season #2, I learned early on what true synergy and organizational magic are all about. I know they exist, I know they can be created, and I know that once you experienced it, you strive to create that feeling within every organization you work. I also know that it’s magic and always feels great!