In your business life or career there are times when you come to a crossroads – where you must decide which path to take. As an entrepreneur, life is full of small crossroads that we take almost every day, but still there are larger crossroads that set us upon specific journeys.
One of the largest decisions to make as an entrepreneur is to commit to a long term working relationship with another business. This may be the act deciding to forego our business dream and take on a job – that one that you just can’t resist. Or it may also be about aligning your business with another business in some contractual working relationship.
I recently read an article by Stephen Covey that discussed synergy vs. compromise. Compromise is when two parties come to a consensus and move ahead – BUT in most compromises – things are given up so that 1 + 1 = 1 ½ . On the flip side – synergy is when two parties work together to create something even better than what either could create. 1 + 1 = 10 (or maybe 100, or 1000). You want to be able to create synergies, and not compromise your values, your dreams, and your vision.
So as you come to the crossroads in your career, your business, your life – look for opportunities to create synergies. Do not compromise!
Synergy can be created when both parties drop the blame game. When they accept the other party view as valid (do not have to agree with it – simply accept it). Both parties must work hard to understand the other.
Synergy also must factor into account what each party brings to the table – and must honour what they bring. These are not only physical resources and or skills and talents. This also includes the vision, the dreams that the other party has for the future.
Synergy needs both parties to drop their guard and to be open to new ideas. The truly amazing synergies come not from following the best path originally proposed – but rather from following a new path neither could imagine until after both parties came together and began the process of visioning and brainstorming.
Finally – synergy must be built on respect and trust.
So when at a crossroads in your life – choose the trail that is built on synergy – and avoid the compromise.
