“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” - Helen Keller Synergy doesn’t just happen it’s a process. You have to get there.

What is synergy? Where can synergy be found in nature? We see things differently Where can synergy be found in humans? What’s your profile? Which fruit are you? Which fruit is best? What are roadblocks to synergy?

The most basic meaning of synergy is when TWO or more people worked together in order to create a solution that is much better than what either person could have done by themselves. IT IS NOT YOUR WAY OR MY WAY IT IS THE HIGH WAY. Synergy is the reward of working together as means to properly achieving a high goal. Synergy works when you think Win- Win and when you seek first to understand. 1+1=3 SYNERGY ISSYNERGY IS NOT Celebrating differencesTolerating differences TeamworkWorking independently Open-mindednessThinking your are always right Finding new and better waysCompromise

Synergy in geese: Scientists have learned so much about the flying V form: 1)By flying in the V the flock can fly 71% farther than a geese alone. 2) As the lead goose gets tired he will switch with other goose to switch as the leader. 3) The geese in the back honk to encourage those in front. 4) When a goose is wounded a pair of geese will break away in order to help the hurt goose. 5)Giant sequoia trees have interconnecting roots so that no tree will fall down in a storm. 6) Rhinos and birds synergize when the birds eat the insects off the rhino, when this happens the birds get fed and the rhino gets clean.

Synergy is common in humans. An example would be a good football team. A football team needs every player on its team other wise the team would be extremely horrible like the Lions. Also a great band needs every single member to be effective. It’s not just the drums, or the guitar, or the saxophone, or the vocalists it is the sum total of all their works that makes up the sound.

Synergy is also prevalent in: Building. If one 2X4 can support 607 pounds, then two 2X4’s should be able to support 1,214 pounds Right? Actually two 2X4’s can hold 1,821. If you nail two 2X4’s together they can hold 4,878 pounds. When you nail three 2X4’s together they can support 8,481 pounds. Music. Musicians know when they play a C and G note perfectly in tune, it produces a third note, or an E. Government. William Paterson’s New Jersey Plan would give equal representation in government to all states. James Madison wanted proportional representation. However after a few weeks of debate they came to the conclusion of have the Senate have equal rep. While the House of Representatives would be based on state population

There are three main profiles. They include Shunners, Tolerators, and Celebrators. Shunners: People that are scared of differences. Things like like different skin colors, different religions, or even different clothes make them uncomfortable. They believe their way is the best the only right way. Tolerators: They believe that everyone has the right to be different. Their motto is don’t bother me and I won’t bother you. Celebrators value difference. They believe that difference spark creativity and opportunity. They believe differences lead to advantages.

What Do You See? What was the point of this exercise?

The point of displaying the optical illusions was to show that many of you saw things differently. This shows that everyone sees everything differently and therefore Synergy will take place everywhere. Also it proves that everyone can be right and if we communicate we can help each other synergize. Once you catch on the idea that everyone views the world differently, and that everyone is can be right, it will increase your understanding and respect for differing viewpoints.

GETTING TO SYNERGY ACTION PLAN 1.Define the problem or opportunity 2.Their way (Seek first to understand than to be understood.) 3.My way (Seek to be understood by properly sharing your ideas.) 4.Brainstorm (Create new options and ideas.) 5.High Way (find the best solution.) Key things to remember: It is important to keep in mind the feelings of other people. Make sure you express your feelings exactly. When you brainstorm let your mind flow, throw out your wildest ideas. Never criticize. Nothing kills creativity like criticism. Piggyback build off of good ideas. After brainstorming for a while the best answer is bound to show up.

The main roadblocks are cliques, Ignorance and Racism/Prejudice. Cliques: It’s a group of people that are close and tight-knit. People of a clique are generally very similar to each other by means of the habits, clothing, and actions. There is nothing wrong about being part of a clique but it causes people in the group to have a superiority complex and others outside the group to feel like second class citizens. Racism is when you have preconceived judgment or opinion. Another way of stating it is an irrational attitude of hostility directed against an individual, a group, a race, or their supposed characteristics. Ignorance means that your clueless. You don’t know how people feel, what they believe, or what they have been through. Ignorance, Cliques, and prejudice prevent you from learning about others and yourself. Until you remove these roadblocks, synergy is impossible.

THE VACATION Dad: I don’t care how you feel. You’re going on this vacation whether you like it or not. We've had this planned for months, and its important that we spend some time together as a family. You: But I don’t want to go. I want to be with my friends. I’ll miss out on everything. Mom: I don’t want you staying here by yourself. I’d worry the whole time and it would ruin my vacation. We want you with us. Define the Problem or Opportunity In this, we have a problem. It’s this: My parents want me to vacation with the family, but I would rather stay home and go out with my friends.

Their Way (SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS OF OTHERS) This vacation is very important to my dad. He wants to have a family bonding time. He feels it wont be the same without me. Mom feels that they would worry so much about me being home alone that they wouldn't enjoy the vacation. My way (SEEK TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY SHARING YOUR IDEAS.) Mom and Dad, I want to stay home and be with my friends. They are very important to me. We have a lot of things planned, and I don’t want to miss out on any of the fun. Bedsides, I go crazy when I have to drive in a crowded car all day with my little brother and sister.

Brainstorm( CREATE NEW OPTIONS AND IDEAS) Get Creative:Throw out your wildest ideas. Let it flow. Avoid Criticism: Nothing kills the flow of creativity like criticism. Piggyback:Keep building upon the best ideas. One great idea leads to the next, which leads to another. The High Way (FIND THE BEST SOLUTION) We all agreed that I could stay home during the first half of the week and then bus out with a friend to join the family for the second half. They even offered to pay the bus for my friend and me if I would paint the fence. It’s not hard work, so I will still have time to hang out with my friends. They’re happy and so am I.