True Alignment is Synergistic

I was I recently had the opportunity to serve as a guest musician with a local ensemble. I was part of a small group of brass players, assigned to perform an off-stage component of a famous brass fanfare. Our contribution to the overall concert was relatively small, but crucial to the piece. This meant a few rehearsals with the main group leading up to the gig on a Saturday evening.

During the concert, our small group had to remain silent backstage for the entire program—over 60 minutes—until our exposed entrance during the final movement of the last piece.

It’s important to understand the physical challenge involved in producing a single pitch from a wind instrument:

• The note must be perfectly in tune.
• The note must begin at precisely the right moment. This requires your sense of timing to be spot-on, as your brain signals the muscles in your face to engage at the exact instant needed. Those muscles must respond correctly, and the parts of your body regulating air must be fully coordinated with the facial muscles.

This process has to happen for every player, every time, all in perfect synchronization.

Even for seasoned musicians, executing this set of physical actions is demanding. It takes years of practice to consistently produce a perfect note in sync with others. To do this reliably, especially in a large ensemble, requires not only technical mastery but also a strong sense of unity among the players. Doing this after sitting quietly for so long is especially difficult.

As for our brass group, the three trombones (myself included) were preparing for our loud, punctuating entrance. When the moment arrived, all three of us produced a clear, unified, perfectly tuned sound simultaneously. It was a powerful moment—not just because it’s rare for three players to align so flawlessly, but because this was exactly what the composer intended. The satisfaction was immense, not just from playing well, but from the sense that we had done justice to the music. The precision and alignment of our playing elevated the performance beyond what any of us could have done individually.

Synergy occurs when the interaction or cooperation between individuals or groups produces an effect greater than the sum of their individual efforts. This effect is often hard to quantify and sometimes described as “intangible.” However, in reality, the effect is quite tangible, even if the precise cause isn’t immediately obvious.

In my experience, the most synergistic environments are those in which there is clear alignment. Like a well-oiled machine, these groups or organizations operate more effectively and generate more “power” than those lacking in direction. Organizations that have a clear sense of purpose and objectives tend to outperform those struggling with internal confusion or conflicting priorities.

Conversely, the absence of alignment can have the opposite effect. This lack of cohesion can lead to "dis-synergy", where the parts actively work against one another. In modern parlance, this is often labeled as "antagonism" or “toxic.” Without alignment, it’s not just that things don’t work well; they can become actively harmful.

Edwin Friedman explores this concept in his book A Failure of Nerve, where he discusses the nature of hostile or dysfunctional environments. He describes entities that are destructive as those lacking the ability to self-regulate. In other words, they lack internal alignment. Friedman even compares this to the difference between healthy cells and malignant ones:

Normal cells:

• Have a clear identity and purpose.
• Contribute to the greater good.
• Communicate effectively.
• Know when to stop.

Malignant cells:

• Lack specialization or self-definition, remaining immature.
• Operate independently of the larger network, like rogue agents.
• Reproduce uncontrollably.
• Don’t know when to quit.

The comparison between cellular behavior and organizational behavior is a helpful metaphor. Just as malignant cells can destroy a healthy body, individuals or groups that lack alignment can undermine the health of an organization or team.

Alignment within a group or organization goes far beyond simply working efficiently. It's more than meeting project deadlines or avoiding conflicts. True alignment produces what can be thought of as a secondary burn of value—a rippling, carry-over effect that extends beyond the immediate results. When an organization and its components are aligned, there’s an overflow of benefits that affect not only the people involved but also the overall environment in which they operate.

For instance, in a well-aligned team, collaboration happens more naturally. It comes easily to them. Communication improves because everyone shares a common language and set of goals. The energy that might otherwise be spent on resolving misunderstandings or overcoming internal resistance is freed up to focus on innovation, productivity, and creativity. This is critical. Alignment drives success, and success reinforces alignment and positive momentum.

Alignment also helps to foster a sense of shared ownership and accountability. When people understand how their individual roles fit into the larger mission, they’re more likely to take responsibility for the success of the whole. This creates a culture of mutual support, where individuals and teams work together to solve problems and overcome challenges. In contrast, misalignment often leads to finger-pointing, blame-shifting, and a lack of accountability.

Where does your organization fit into that continuum? Where are you part of that?

Furthermore, alignment is crucial for resilience. In a fast-changing world, organizations that are well-aligned are better able to adapt to new challenges and seize emerging opportunities. When everyone is moving in the same direction, it's easier to pivot and adjust without losing momentum. On the other hand, organizations that are fragmented or misaligned often struggle to respond effectively to change, because they lack the internal coherence needed to navigate uncertainty.

Ultimately, alignment is about more than just getting everyone on the same page and reaping the synergies. It’s about creating an environment where people can thrive, contribute their best work, and find meaning in what they do. Just like the perfectly timed entrance of our brass group last Saturday night, true alignment allows for moments of brilliance that elevate the entire experience and surpass expecations. When that happens, the impact can be truly transformative.

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