1. 6 Habit 6: Synergize EXPLAIN that Habit 6 is Synergize.
ASK participants what it means to synergize.
WAIT for participants to respond.
PRESENT next slide.

2. Creative Cooperation
See the whole as greater than the sum of its parts.
Invite others to state their opinions and thoughts.
Value and respect differences.
NOTE: This slide contains animation. Right click for each bullet point to appear on screen.
SUMMARIZE by saying that synergy is “…celebrating differences, teamwork, open-mindedness. Synergy is the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts…one plus one equals three or more.”- Stephen R Covey.
EXPLAIN that when working in groups there are several different ways of responding to differences of opinions:
Attack. You put down the idea (defensive/fear-based).
Tolerate. You put up with but do not accept the idea.
Accept. You accept that the idea is different, but you don’t try to change anything.
Value. You value the different idea and begin to see the opportunity in the new information.
Celebrate. You seek out individuals who think differently, and you learn from those differences.
EXPLAIN that when we synergize we:
Invite others to state their opinions and thoughts
Value and respect differences
Source: Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Covey, S.R. (2003). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal Workbook. New York: Simon and Schuster.

3. Synergy
The essence of synergy is to value differences—to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses. Once people have experienced real synergy, they are never quite the same again. They know the possibility of having other such mind-expanding adventures in the future…
- Stephen R. Covey
READ quote.
Source: Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Covey, S.R. (2003). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal Workbook. New York: Simon and Schuster.

4. Group Activity
Give an example of a time when you felt you were working on a group that synergized.
How did you feel?
What qualities did other members of the group have that contributed to the synergy?
ASK participants if they have an example of synergizing (being on a group where they felt that the whole was greater than the sum of the parts).
ASK participants to turn to the person next to them and discuss the following:
Give an example of a time when you felt you were working on a group that synergized.
How did you feel?
What qualities did other members of the group have that contributed to the synergy?
ALLOW 15 minutes for the activity.
ASK for group members to share some examples.
INSTRUCT participants to fill out the assessment on page 118 of the covey work book.
EXPLAIN that in this activity participants will have the opportunity to reflect on the degree to which they synergize.
ALLOW participants 5 minutes to complete activity.
EXPLAIN that scoring can be found on pg 118 of the covey workbook.
ASK participants if their results surprised them.
Fady Habib

5. What can be a barrier to synergy?
ASK participants: “What can be a barrier to synergy?”

6. Group Activity
What are some concrete steps or behaviors you can cultivate to encourage synergy?
DIVIDE participants into groups of 4
ASK participants to discuss the following:
What are some concrete steps of behaviors you can cultivate to encourage synergy?
ALLOW participants 15 minutes to discuss.
ASK each small group to present their answers to the larger group.

7. To achieve synergy Have a healthy respect for diversity.
Be able to relax around others.
Value opinions whether you agree or not.
Create balance.
Be responsive to new ideas.
Develop trust.
Discover and share common interests.
Maintain a sense of humor.
Don’t stereotype.
Be real.
PRESENT slide.
EXPLAIN that these are some things you can do to achieve synergy.
ASK participants if they have any questions or final comments about Habit 6.
Source: Covey, S.R. (1989). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. New York: Simon and Schuster.
Covey, S.R. (2003). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Personal Workbook. New York: Simon and Schuster.