"The Leadership Factor:
Promoting Synergy in the Workplace"

By Sandra Graham

     Is your picture-perfect workplace a scene where cloned individuals work with a single-minded purpose to produce excellent results ahead of schedule?

     Well, it's not a dream. It's called "synergy." Take away the clones. Replace them with real live "people components" who function like a well-oiled, state-of-the-art piece of machinery synchronized by the smooth guidance of their leader.

     This synergized scenario creates happy employees who like what they are doing, feel respected, and realize their value to their company. When they come together with the same dream and purpose, that collective power becomes synergy--perfectly combined action.

     What does synergy look like in the workplace? It’s a productive atmosphere where people value each other’s worth, trust in one another, and work together successfully in a non-confused environment that flows smoothly. You hear no excuses and see clearly how things are done in a timely manner. It’s a workplace where "we can’t" is replaced with "we can", "think of the possibilities," and "how can we make this work?"

     Without this focus you’ll find unhappy employees who take instead of give. There’s no creativity, no enthusiasm, no strength or power. Only "dead wood" sucking the life out of your business.

     Most of the workforce who fall into this category are not there by intention or choice. Recently Newsweek stated that 99% of all employees do want to perform well on the job; however, they become overwhelmed by the combined problems of stress in the workplace and at home. Their ability to learn, think, manage change, and relate to others becomes compromised.

     Psychologists report that stressed-out employees are more likely to have mental and physical problems. It’s important for leaders to recognize this loss of control because, ultimately, their company’s bottom line is negatively affected.

     The coping skills necessary to help workers move forward are not taught in high school or college. This responsibility falls upon the workplace no matter how large or small. And, for reasons of insecurity or pride, most people are not comfortable with admitting that they have any problems. They give the outward appearance that everything is fine while struggling on the inside. Whether business suffers from mild confusion or total chaos, it takes courage to turn loose of the familiar and promote synergy.

Here are some tips to get you started:

• Hire employees who have the character skills as well as the technical skills you need on the job; there are tests to help you determine this.
• Establish a win/win environment that functions by eliminating confusion and establishing a clear work flow.
• Set clear goals and expectations for each individual employee.
• Praise your employees often; reprimand them in private.
  

     Effective leadership begins with the heart, not the head, and understands that behind every employee there is a person waiting to be acknowledged.