Beginning with the first three habits of independence and then the second three habits of interdependence, we have gradually explored the musings of Stephen R. Covey from “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” as it relates to agile transformation.  Now, we conclude this series with the all-encompassing Habit 7 – Sharpen the Saw, otherwise referred to as the principles of balanced self-renewal.  All-encompassing because Habit 7 truly encompasses all the prior habits towards continuous balanced renewal.  Covey declares Habit 7 as the habit that makes all the other habits possible.

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Habit 6 – Synergize, in our exploration of Stephen R. Covey’s “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, is quite significant when it comes to effective agile transformation. This habit, considered the “principles of creative cooperation” by Covey, is the culmination of all the prior Habits 1 through 5.   As we’ve seen, each habit builds upon the last, and now with Habit 6, we are at the peak of what it takes to be highly effective.

Covey emphasizes that done right, Habit 6 can produce extraordinary results by producing new alternatives never before considered.  He offers up a simple meaning to what it means to synergize.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. One plus one equals three or more.”

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