Synergy: Interlocking Strengths
Synergy: Interlocking Strengths
By: Jocelyne Bilodeau
Edited by: Justin Teeuwen
We’ve all been there working in an environment where one person changes the dynamics of the entire team. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes…it turns the dynamics of the team. It throws a wrench into a gear that’s running smoothly. It not only impacts the team, but also the clients you are serving. But why does this happen? The answer lies in the principle of synergy, a concept researchers have studied for decades,2. Synergy occurs when the interaction of elements produces a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects. Just any combination does not always mean success. Think about atoms and molecules: combining them can lead to incredible results, like the formation of water, or the basic building blocks of life.
Research reveals the profound influence of synergy on teamwork. As mentioned in Forbes, “Synergy is actually a systemic principle that explains how a team’s collective performance is unpredictable based solely on its members’ individual performances. Therefore, a team’s collective performance can be either better or worse than the sum of its members’ individual performances.”3 In other words, synergy is a measure of how well a team performs depends on how its members interact, not just on their individual skills.
When people with complementary talents and shared goals come together, the results can be transformative. A cohesive team can overcome adversity, maintain focus, and achieve success more efficiently.4 On the flip side, a lack of synergy can derail progress, breeding resentment and inefficiency.
From my own experience, I’ve seen both sides of this dynamic. I’ve worked in teams where everyone understood their role and supported one another, creating an environment where success felt effortless. Each member brought their unique strengths to the table, but the real magic happened in how we collaborated—offering help when needed, sharing ideas openly, and staying aligned with our collective vision. Our energy spilled out of our team and into the rest of the company – who in turn became more collaborative, with teams going above and beyond to help each other. Work became easy – and fun! People felt like they were a part of something larger than themselves.
But I’ve also been part of teams where the energy was anything but synergistic. In these cases, it felt like every person was out for themselves, guarding their knowledge or competing for recognition. Unsurprisingly, those teams struggled to deliver results – great employees left the company, and ultimately, client care suffered. The lack of trust and collaboration created cracks that couldn’t be patched, and the entire structure eventually crumbled.
What’s the key to fostering synergy? Harmony. It’s about finding people who share your values and vision yet bring diverse skills and perspectives to the table. When team members align on purpose and trust each other to fulfill their roles, the potential for growth and success becomes limitless.
Synergy is not just about doing your part; it’s about understanding how your part interlocks with others. Imagine gears in a clock—each gear has a distinct role, but only when they work together does the clock keep time. Teams function the same way: when the gears mesh, the possibilities are endless.
So, next time you encounter that person who shifts your team’s dynamics, take a moment to reflect. Are they an addition that propels the group forward, or a disruptor that throws everything out of harmony? Either way, the principle of synergy is at play, reminding us that the whole has the chance to be greater than the sum of its parts.
If you’re ready to take your team’s performance to the next level, let’s talk. Whether you need to sharpen your vision or improve team collaboration, we’re here to help you align your goals, enhance synergy, and unlock your team’s full potential.
1 Ansoff, H. I. (1965). Corporate strategy; an analytic approach to business policy for growth and expansion. McGraw-Hill.
2 Goold, M., & Campbell, A. (1998). Desperately Seeking Synergy. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/1998/09/desperately-seeking-synergy
3 Romero, L. E. (2015). The Ultimate Guide To Team Synergy. Forbes. Retrieved February 12, 2025, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/luisromero/2015/12/01/the-ultimate-guide-to-team-synergy/
4 Coyle, D. (2018). The culture code: The secrets of highly successful groups. Bantam.
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/maximizing-leadership-impact-synergy-between-ria-ns8jc/
https://hbr.org/1998/09/desperately-seeking-synergy
https://hbr.org/2000/01/coevolving-at-last-a-way-to-make-synergies-work
https://positivepsychology.com/psychology-teamwork/
https://www.predictiveindex.com/blog/team-synergy/
