1. Synergize

2.  Synergy: when two or more people work together to create a better solution than either could alone.  It’s not your way or my way, but a better way  Synergy is:  Celebrating differences  Teamwork  Open-mindedness  Finding new and better ways  Synergy is not:  Tolerating differences  Working independently  Thinking you are always right  Compromise

3.  Roadblocks to Celebrating Differences  Ignorance  Cliques  Prejudice  “Differences create the challenges in life that open the door to discovery”  Are you:  Shunner: afraid of differences  Tolerator: everyone has the right to be different  Celebrator: value differences

4.  Great teams are made up of five or more different types of people, with each member playing a different but important role:  Plodders—sure and steady, stick to a job until it is done  Followers—very supportive of leaders  Innovators—creative, idea people  Harmonizers—provide unity and support  Show-offs—fun to work with, but tough at times

5. “Even when you’ve played the game of your life, it’s the feeling of teamwork that you’ll remember. You’ll forget the plays, the shots, the scores, but you’ll never forget your teammates.” ~Deborah Miller Palmore

6.  Action Plan  Define the problem or opportunity  Their way  seek first to understand the ideas of others  My way  Seek to be understood by sharing your ideas  Brainstorm  Create new options and ideas  High Way  Find the best solution

7.  Think about someone who irritates you.  What is different about them?  What can you learn from them?

8. ShunnerToleratorCelebrator Race Gender Religion Age Dress Rate your openness to diversity in each of the following categories.