The Power of Synergy 시너지의 힘

                                                      

       (written in 2003)

Nothing can exist alone under the heavens. All of us are related in some way. I need you and you need me. We need one another. When we work together, we can be much happier and more generous and understanding. There is a saying that "to be united is to live and to be scattered is to die." This proverb surely implies the power of being together that leads to unity and solidarity.

 The potential power of synergy is realized in the community. In fact, the whole is much greater than the part because of its unifying and empowering spirit. Small parts gathering one another create more power and energy than being alone and isolated. Beyond selfish individualism and materialistic consumerism, interdependence and collaboration are what our contemporary social needs.

 Several pieces of wood joined together can hold more weight than just a piece of wood. Synergy is a combined action or operation. The combined and unified action of two or so can achieve an effect much greater than that of an individual. Jesus also said that he would listen to us when two or three of us prayed together. He even sent his disciples two by two for missions.

 Being and working together, we can be more efficacious, intuitive, and collaborative. Sharing improves quality. Of course, by doing something alone with an individually given talent, we can sometimes contribute considerably, but true strength and joy are given through community. Peace also comes when we know how to live together in the community.

 Do you think one plus one equals not two but three or more? Many strands are needed to make a broom. Being separated, each strand can't do anything; however, once united together, it can clean and sweep the room. Coming together creates a greater power even if its behaviors through unity demand more attention and even conflict from time to time.

 The group with synergy guarantees value-added service, organizational growth, resource optimization, integration improving productivity, product development, and mutual support. It also brings about some transcendental power through interrelations and interconnections. More inner power is given through combined actions as in the United Nations, European Community, APEC, Pauline Family, and Synod.

 We are naturally inclined to unite with one another. We want to belong to somebody, or some group and community to share communion. All these movements reveal the fact that the sum of parts can bring about more positive effects and power than what can be achieved from the parts. In spite of living in the era of individualism and materialism, we can't deny our deep longing for togetherness. We are living and moving not alone but together.

 Since each of us is so different and unique, how can we live the spirit of synergy in the midst of difference, confrontation, and competition? One way to sow the seed of synergy in our community would be by valuing our differences, embracing our weaknesses, and respecting our strengths. We are all so different and weak in some way when we stick to being alone, but we can empower ourselves when we are united together.

 I can do something good and you can as well. Thus, we can cooperate with each other and contribute more than we could individually. It's because one and another create not only two but three or more. Various religions, cultures, and institutions coexist in this plural society. I think we need to share our vision and experiences with a spirit of cooperation and solidarity.

 Let me quote a story about "supportive work" in the book "1000 Stories You Can Use," which will be published by Yeollin under the title of "Stories with Feelings" by August: "A musician was giving a brilliant concert in a famous old church. As he reached the intermission, he retreated to the back of the organ for a bit of rest. There he found an oldish gentleman smoking his pipe as he rested from the chore of pumping air for the big organ. The fellow smiled and commented, 'We're giving them quite a concert, aren't we?'

 This seemed out of perspective to the virtuoso, who put the fellow in his place, 'What do you mean 'we', old man? I'm giving the concert!' He returned to the front. In came the audience, he struck a pose with his hands raised and let them descend for the next number. There was no sound. He dashed behind the organ. There was the man, smoking his pipe. It dawned on the musician and with a smile, he admitted, 'You were right; we are giving them a concert.'" 

 The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Aug. 1, 2003