1 + 1 Can Equal Much More Then 2!

Does that really make any sense? We all learned, at the latest, in first grade that 1+1=2. Well, let me tell you, in doing some research for this posting, I found pages of all kinds of mathematical treatises on proofing that 1+1=2. So, let me make this clear right now – I AM NOT A MATHEMATICIAN! I can add, subtract, multiply and divide – long hand (but, I prefer using a calculator – see, I’m lazy like everyone else). I can even do some minor algebra and geometry. But that is about it. Yes, I do have two college degrees and graduated with honors in my major and was far from the bottom of my graduate degree sequence. Math is just not my strong suit. So, let’s just all agree that for our intents and purposes that this simple mathematical equation is true and leave mathematics to the mathematicians.

I’m talking about a different kind of equation. I’m talking about a thing called “synergy.” You’ve probably heard the saying, the whole is greater then the sum of the individual parts. Here is what I mean from an article in Wikipedia, “Simply defined, it means that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts. Although the whole will be greater than each individual part, this is not the concept of synergy. If used in a business application it means that teamwork will produce an overall better result than if each person was working toward the same goal individually.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synergy

So, what I’m saying here is that one Great Truth is this concept of Synergy. The reason I’ve chosen it as the first Great Truth is because without it, we’d all still be living in caves, hunting with clubs, eating berries and raw meat – and possibly have hairy knuckles. Society and civilizations have started, grown and flourished because of synergy. Did Adam and Eve know about synergy, probably not as we’ve come to know it, but essentially, however or whomever you wish to define as Adam and Eve, they were able to produce more as a team. 1 + 1 = more then 2.

I also chose synergy as the first Great Truth, because I’m hoping that Me + You are going to explore these Great Truths together and create much more then I would or you would individually come up with. As I stated in the Introduction, this is ultimately going to become a book. It will start out as an e-book and an audio book; it will become a print book when there is a great enough demand for it. Since I have ten years of experience in the book publishing industry as a small, independent publisher, I have a very keen knowledge of what it takes to create a book, give it a form, promote it and distribute it. I also know that the publishing model is changing rapidly like so many other industries. So, I need to use synergy to make this book something greater then I can do myself. I need you as part of my team.

Now, just so we have a clear handle on this synergy thing let’s look at some brief examples. Here is one that is simple nature. One man and one woman can create a totally new and unique human that is likely (at least potentially) greater then either the man who contributed a sperm with his genetic material or the woman who contributed the egg with her genetic material. What could that new human be? Well, it could be a Beethoven, a Leonardo Da Vinci, a Thomas Edison, a Henry Ford, a Mother Theresa, a Florence Nightingale, a Meg Whitman, a Helen Keller and this list could go on and on. The 1 (man) plus the 1 (woman) joined to create, through the synergy and miracle of nature, something greater then the sum of the two individuals.

Another example would be Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. They didn’t create computers that had already been accomplished. But the synergy of Steve Jobs, the visionary and market oriented guy and the genius and technically oriented mind of Steve Wozniak created the Apple Computer and were instrumental in changing the lives of the world. Certainly, there were others, like Bill Gates and his team members with Microsoft – but they created an operating system for computers that has changed the world.

Let’s try another example like (Richard) Rodgers and (Oscar) Hammerstein. Individually, they were both very successful in the music business – but together, they redefined the art form of musical theater. Now, to be fair, there certainly have been many artists in all art forms who have been “solo” acts, but, quite often, there was someone who provided support, encouragement, inspiration, financing, whatever the artist needed to excel in their field.

I once met Moira Lear, the widow of Bill Lear. I’m sure you’ve heard of the Lear Jet and probably the 8-track cartridge that many of us had in our cars back in the 1970’s (isn’t that ancient history). Moira said of her late husband that Bill only had an 8th grade education and he certainly didn’t have all the knowledge, engineering skills, experience and tools to create the first practical and economical personal business jet aircraft. But, she went on to say that he had the vision to assemble of team of experts in their fields, inspire them with his vision and dream and guide them to make that dream become a reality. Once again, this is synergy at work.

I can go on and on in this manner, but that’s not the intent of this posting. The book will expand and expound with many more examples and case studies as I interview people about how synergy works for them. Perhaps you have a unique contribution you could make. I’d like to know about it. I honestly can’t think of anyone I know of that hasn’t used some form of synergy during their lifetimes – usually on considerably more then one occasion and in different ways; work, family, social life. I have devoted about 10 years of time to a local community theater with a group of some of the most talented people I’ve ever known. They each come from different walks of life. Each has unique talents and skills. Each contributes something to the whole that makes it so much greater then any individual in the group could ever do by themselves. Each has one common trait that brings them together – the love of the theater and enhancing the lives of those, not only who participate in a production, but the lives of every person who fills a seat at each performance, show after show, season after season and year after year.

I invite your comments. And remember, “The Truth shall set you free!” and this blog is all about living and working FREE. Next time, we don’t need all that we want!

Enthusiastically,
Ed