Synergy

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.

Batman and Robin.

Shaq and Kobe.

Regis and Kelly.

Joshua and Caleb.

Will and Jada.

Elijah and Elisha.

The list goes on and on. Each of the aforementioned represent unique duos or trios that have captured our attention by their talent, skill, authority, expertise, and mega success. Though each of the individuals are dynamic alone, I am convinced that they stepped to another level of impact due to mastering one thing: synergy. The combined effect of the duos and trios have proven greater than the sum of their separate efforts.

We are wired in western civilization to strive at times for individual success. There is nothing wrong with individual success and some efforts are best achieved individually.  I am an advocate for being a self starter and taking responsibility for one’s talent and purpose.  We should soar beyond the mountain tops as individuals. However, there are opportunities as a leader, partner, entrepreneur, friend, team member, coach, boss, ministry leader, or even employee, where if you are able to connect and build synergy, there is combustion. Great things happen. Productivity becomes exponential. If you consider the duos and trios mentioned, many of them have spent the majority of their assignments working with the same partner(s) and achieved an optimization that they couldn’t achieve by themselves. They stepped into the zone called synergy.

What really is needed to achieve synergy is a healthy understanding of what you have to offer and how that coupled with what someone else has to offer produces another level of effect. Insecurity is the killer of synergy. Pride and selfishness are also killers of a vision and synergy.

I do realize that we are in the age where we must discern connections. Fakers, haters, and everything in between have us throwing up the peace sign and saying “I’m good” as we journey to build. Sometimes we must walk alone, but I also know that a massive vision is never carried out solo. One can put a thousand to flight. Two, ten thousand to flight. Something happens when we connect with the right people.

Put it on your list of goals for 2020. Where there is an opportunity to build synergy, strive for it. Nurture it. Then move forward and produce exponentially.

The Sojourner

Last week, I watched the newly released movie “Harriet”, which is a movie inspired by the life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. The movie highlighted Harriet’s determination and willingness to pursue her heart’s desire of freedom.  One of the touching moments within the movie was when she left her husband and ran for freedom. Later she returned for him. Unfortunately he had remarried and didn’t want to go with her on the journey. Historically, it is noted that her husband was not an advocate for her leaving slavery.

I reflect on this as often we receive great vision, ideas, and concepts as leaders and we want our loved ones, friends, and colleagues to catch the vision or to even come with us on the journey. We desire that they adapt to our mentality. We desire that they embrace our prosperity. Many, by choice, do not go on the journey. This can be for various reasons. Simply put: they weren’t supposed to go.

More times than not, our gifts and call are not for the familiar. Our gifts are for those who are unfamiliar with us.

Just like Harriet, we must find the resolve to move forward, even if we go alone.   There is a saying that being alone does not equal loneliness.  When you are full of purpose and full of brilliant light, you recognize that there will be ones that you are called to.  Just like Harriet to the slaves,  Moses to the Children of Israel, or the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to African Americans,  you will find those who you are called to and will go with you for the journey.

Whatever the purpose or the call, BE bold, BE brave. Lead Brilliantly.

Are You Serious?

A common phrase echoed back to a person sharing details of a scenario that seems unrealistic or to convey utter shock that a situation has played out the way it has is “are you serious?”  Another play on the word serious is when we meet individuals who come across as intense and it is said, “they are way too serious.”  I have spent some time thinking about what I should be serious about.

After reaching a milestone birthday recently, I starting reassessing many aspects of my life.  I realize that time is flying fast.  All things considered, when you count the value of your days and all that has to be accomplished in them,  I thought to myself ‘I gotta get serious.’  What do I mean when I say serious ? When I think about being serious, I think about focus. Prioritization. Weight.  Discipline. Consistency.  Webster’s defines serious as 1) of showing or characterized by deep thought; 2) requiring thought concentration of application and/or 3) weighty or important.  Because life is filled with so many activities, interests, ideas of curiosity, goals, distractions, responsibilities, fantasies, and even mundaneness, we can find ourselves wandering or engaged in life with meager attempt.  Brilliant individuals are able to quickly assess what they count as serious and what isn’t serious.  Is your business or career a serious matter? What about your faith and health? Are your relationships and finances a serious matter? What about your self care?  Are conversations and contemplation a serious matter? The list goes on and on.  The beauty of it all is that you are able to define what is serious to you.  I can not define what it is for you, but I ask the question today, ‘are you serious?” You are the one who defines what is weighty. 

Becoming sensitive in this area may require admitting that there are areas that have been shrugged away as non-important or ignored that should have more attention.  Asking the question can reset focus and eliminate mindless activities and wasting of a precious commodity known as time.

I leave with this thought from Psalm 90:12:

12 So teach us to number our days
that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Days….We only have a few of them, so let us use them wisely.

Like a B.O.S.S.- Build on Something Solid

We are in the age of the “BOSS”.  Many are using the term to describe a person who not only leads people or has people reporting to them, but also to describe a person demonstrating the ability to make great strides in entrepreneurship.  I believe individuals have the opportunity to be a “BOSS” in any aspect of life.  The key to this is: Build on Something Solid.  Solid foundations enable us to be wise builders.  What do I mean when I say have a solid foundation?  There was a story given by a wise teacher who instructed his followers that if they heeded his words and put his words to practice, they would be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Afterwards the rain came, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house but the house did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.  The teacher understood that he offered principles that were sound and were sturdy and if his followers adhered to his principles, they would be able to face obstacles but not fail.

In the excitement of our times, most of us desire greatness and some level of accomplishment with the work of our hands. This is possible but how many stop to consider the foundation first? Have you assessed what values, beliefs, habits, and processes you adhere to that will allow you to be successful? Have you assessed if there are areas that need strengthening? Are you aware of the time commitment necessary to have a solid foundation?  Most foundations must be allowed to ‘settle’. 

Considering these questions, my thought today is if you desire to be a “BOSS”, then Build on Something Solid.

Seek a solid spiritual foundation. Seek a solid foundation in knowledge and wisdom that is enhanced by curiosity. Seek a solid foundation in technical expertise and agility. Seek a solid business plan with a solid product or service.  Seek a solid foundation with great processes.  Seek a solid value system. Seek solid communication.  All of these produce for a great foundation and will undergird whatever you seek to accomplish.  Then as you move forward, when the unexpected trials and storms approach, whatever has been built can be sustained because in the end, you know the foundation is sure.  Brilliant ones, let’s go build, but build on something solid!