Synergy

According to Wikipedia, synergy is “the term used to describe a situation where different entities cooperate advantageously for a final outcome. Simply defined, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The essence of synergy is to value differences.”

Yesterday I observed two very different instances of synergy – one involving a friend and one while interacting with a group of complete strangers online. 

My long-time friend (I’ve known him for almost 25 years now, which doesn’t seem remotely possible) is writing a book – a historical novel that could very well be of epic proportions. He reads me chapters over the phone as he completes them, and I must say it’s very engaging. I look forward to seeing the finished product, and receiving my autographed copy!

A few days ago, I mentioned to him that he had inspired me to write a book of my own, and described it to him. The concept of my book is not at all similar to his – mine will be a sentimental memoir about my mother’s life, and will likely be published as an e-book instead of a traditional ink-and-paper volume. 

The thing that sparked yesterday’s synergy is that he was just about to write a section about a theatrical production in his book, and he was energized by my description. It so happened that the premise of my book fit very well with the storyline he had already conceptualized before our conversation.

When we spoke again last night, my friend had fully integrated the information I had given him about my book, and had woven it into his story. So now the play mentioned in his novel is actually a stage adaptation of my (as yet unwritten) memoir – and I (as the author of the book) am a character in the novel! It’s sort of a reflection inside of a reflection, like the effect resulting from looking in one mirror when there’s another mirror behind you. The image goes on and on, to infinity.

Needless to say, I’m thrilled and honored to be mentioned in someone’s novel (see this post), as well as to have my mother be the subject of a scene in it. My friend actually knew my mother, so his depiction of her in his book is warm and genuine, and is much appreciated, also.

My friend’s passion about his novel is the thing that inspired me to write my book, and letting him know I was writing it gave him a framework to create a scene in his novel. Hearing the progress of his novel inspired me to write, and my positive response to his project encourages him to write more. What a great example of synergy at work!

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The second instance of synergy was much less profound, but interesting to observe, nonetheless. I signed up on a website where people play computer games online. In the virtual “room” where I was playing, there were four other people. We were playing sort of a Yahtzee-like game, where we tried to get multiples of one symbol or another to score points (which can be redeemed for real-world prizes, such as amazon.com gift cards, etc.). 

Having just joined the site, I was confused at first, because people kept signaling that they wanted to swap game pieces with me. It took me awhile to realize it, but then it dawned on me that either I had a game piece they wanted, or they were trying to give me a piece that I needed in order to complete my “hand” and score bigger points. Sometimes there was some mad swapping going on, let me tell you! At some points, three people were trying to trade pieces with me at the same time! One of the players sent me a private message, giving me some tips when I made some blunders. When I told them I was new and confused, they explained it very well when they replied “we swap pieces to everyone’s advantage.” 

It was an “ah-ha!” moment for me. Once I understood that concept, I was fascinated to watch the interactions among the players. People would give away valuable pieces to others, with no direct benefit to themselves, so that person could complete a high-scoring hand. Later, the person who received the generosity of their neighbors in the room would reciprocate in kind. 

The Golden Rule was very much in play in that room – if people got selfish and wouldn’t give away good pieces, instead hoarding them for their own benefit, the others would very likely refuse to aid the non-sharing person – in effect, freezing them out of the group benefits. (Not that I saw any of that happening while I was there.) And little niceties like responding in the chat feature with a “ty” (thank you) and “yvw” (you’re very welcome) when pieces were exchanged went a long way toward acting as a social lubricant, fostering good will among the group of players.

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Synergy is an amazing and powerful thing. So many times, it seems to happen spontaneously – and when it does, it’s like a bolt of lightning, sparking an extra level of creativity and energy that feeds on itself when passed between two people. The resulting product can indeed be greater than the sum of its parts, working to everyone’s advantage!

Tags: Family, relationships