Synergy allows us to accomplish more than we could alone. To see the possible in others, we cannot cling to our impossible but must enter into what might be. Every day is a PD day #myPDtoday

In Stephen R. Covey’s book The 3rd Alternative, he explores how synergy, the coming together of people to solve a problem or to work toward a goal, requires the people involved to step beyond their own limitations to embrace the synergy of what could be through working towards a 3rd Alternative - an alternative in which a better solution is developed than when people seek to get their way. Often people aren’t ready to take this step as they see it as a form of losing something or giving in. Unfortunately, this frame of mind leads to dead-ends and impasses that often lead to further tensions and problems between the parties.

"To see the possible in others, we cannot cling to our impossible"

If we wish to find solutions through synergy with others, we cannot cling to our limitations about what is possible and, by extensions, what is not possible. Working with others to find new alternatives requires forgoing what we think or believe can be attained and giving room for what might be in order to allow the synergy that develops from working collaboratively with others without imposing our own limitations to what can be accomplished.

Todd Henry, in his book Louder Than Words - Harness the Power of Your Authentic Voice explores how people can develop their own unique voice and share that with the world. He points out "developing your voice is not just about what you care about, it’s also about how your passions intersect with what others care about" p. 10. Finding the intersection between what we care deeply about and where others are, requires us to be open to others ideas and thoughts in ways that don’t impose limitations on what might be while also honouring all the people involved.

This isn’t easy. It might be one of the hardest things we do but if we truly wish to change the world, seeking new ways to interact and encounter other people is a vital step. Being able to work in a truly collaborative way, to seek solutions that embrace a 3rd Alternative, does require a different way of approaching issues and problems. Given the complexity of issues that we face today, such a change is worth exploring.

Seeing the possible in others does require us to let go of our own impossible and step into a relationship in a new way.