1 01:00:01,250 --> 01:00:04,125 Good morning and 2 01:00:04,125 --> 01:00:05,958 welcome to Morning Serial. 3 01:00:11,875 --> 01:00:13,125 Okay good morning and 4 01:00:13,125 --> 01:00:14,083 welcome to Thursday. 5 01:00:14,333 --> 01:00:16,041 It's Friday and it's 6 01:00:16,041 --> 01:00:18,458 also National Bow Tie Day. 7 01:00:18,833 --> 01:00:20,375 It's a nod to style 8 01:00:20,375 --> 01:00:21,833 and personality I guess. 9 01:00:21,833 --> 01:00:22,583 I mean I don't know 10 01:00:22,583 --> 01:00:24,083 are you a bow tie person? 11 01:00:24,416 --> 01:00:27,250 There is a certain je ne sais quoi about 12 01:00:27,250 --> 01:00:29,208 a person sporting a bow tie right? 13 01:00:29,500 --> 01:00:30,500 I guess I need to pull out 14 01:00:30,500 --> 01:00:31,791 the black tux again soon. 15 01:00:32,083 --> 01:00:32,500 It's time. 16 01:00:33,333 --> 01:00:35,625 Well either way whether you tied one on 17 01:00:35,625 --> 01:00:37,083 or just admired a bow 18 01:00:37,083 --> 01:00:39,500 tie, today is about flair. 19 01:00:39,833 --> 01:00:41,000 And someone who knows a 20 01:00:41,000 --> 01:00:43,125 lot about flair, Jack Black. 21 01:00:43,416 --> 01:00:45,416 He said quote, "The greatest gift in life 22 01:00:45,416 --> 01:00:46,416 is the ability to 23 01:00:46,416 --> 01:00:47,833 think great thoughts and 24 01:00:47,833 --> 01:00:50,416 have the strength to take action so those 25 01:00:50,416 --> 01:00:53,166 thoughts become reality in this wonderful 26 01:00:53,500 --> 01:00:54,666 and abundant world." 27 01:00:54,958 --> 01:00:55,250 End quote. 28 01:00:55,750 --> 01:00:56,833 Now these are some very 29 01:00:56,833 --> 01:00:58,208 lucid thoughts from Jack. 30 01:00:58,916 --> 01:00:59,375 Great achievements 31 01:00:59,375 --> 01:01:01,208 always start with a dream. 32 01:01:01,541 --> 01:01:02,875 So don't be afraid to dream. 33 01:01:02,875 --> 01:01:05,166 Dream big then take action. 34 01:01:06,000 --> 01:01:07,000 Well today's news facts and 35 01:01:07,000 --> 01:01:09,208 birthdays are for August 28th. 36 01:01:09,208 --> 01:01:10,583 We're going to start back in 1830. 37 01:01:11,375 --> 01:01:12,625 That's when the first American built 38 01:01:12,625 --> 01:01:14,250 locomotive, the Tom Thun, 39 01:01:14,250 --> 01:01:16,000 well it raced a horse drawn 40 01:01:16,000 --> 01:01:19,333 car from Baltimore down to Ellicott Mills 41 01:01:19,333 --> 01:01:21,458 and let history record 42 01:01:21,458 --> 01:01:23,333 that due to some mechanical 43 01:01:23,416 --> 01:01:25,000 problems the horse won. 44 01:01:25,875 --> 01:01:28,333 Then in 1980 researchers in Scotland they 45 01:01:28,333 --> 01:01:29,125 performed the first 46 01:01:29,125 --> 01:01:30,875 clinical full body MRI 47 01:01:30,875 --> 01:01:32,875 scan and it was a medical breakthrough 48 01:01:32,875 --> 01:01:34,750 that changed diagnostics forever. 49 01:01:35,666 --> 01:01:38,458 Well in 1996 on this date after four 50 01:01:38,458 --> 01:01:39,583 years of separation, 51 01:01:40,166 --> 01:01:41,458 Charles, Prince of Wales and 52 01:01:41,500 --> 01:01:43,375 then heir to the British throne and 53 01:01:43,375 --> 01:01:45,125 Princess Diana, well on this 54 01:01:45,125 --> 01:01:46,416 date they formally divorced. 55 01:01:47,208 --> 01:01:48,083 And then lastly in 56 01:01:48,083 --> 01:01:50,000 2003, prepare yourselves. 57 01:01:50,666 --> 01:01:52,750 Do you remember this is the date back in 58 01:01:52,750 --> 01:01:54,916 2003 when Madonna and 59 01:01:54,916 --> 01:01:56,083 Britney Spears on the 60 01:01:56,083 --> 01:01:58,583 MTV Music Awards, major controversy at 61 01:01:58,583 --> 01:02:00,666 the time, well they actually kissed. 62 01:02:01,083 --> 01:02:02,958 And Madonna actually kissed Christina 63 01:02:02,958 --> 01:02:04,416 Aguilera after she kissed 64 01:02:04,416 --> 01:02:05,583 Britney but the camera crew 65 01:02:05,583 --> 01:02:06,583 had cut away to get 66 01:02:06,583 --> 01:02:07,833 the audience's reaction. 67 01:02:08,250 --> 01:02:09,875 Well I'm not sure you're going to get the 68 01:02:09,875 --> 01:02:11,125 same reactions today. 69 01:02:11,125 --> 01:02:12,458 We've seen way worse in 70 01:02:12,458 --> 01:02:13,958 this world of social media. 71 01:02:14,541 --> 01:02:15,958 Well happy birthday to you. 72 01:02:15,958 --> 01:02:17,000 Today is your birthday. 73 01:02:17,000 --> 01:02:18,083 You share a birthday with 74 01:02:18,083 --> 01:02:19,666 country singer, Leanne Rime. 75 01:02:19,791 --> 01:02:20,875 She's 43 today. 76 01:02:21,666 --> 01:02:22,708 Tech executive Sheryl 77 01:02:22,708 --> 01:02:24,500 Sandberg, she's 56 today. 78 01:02:25,083 --> 01:02:27,583 And country singer Shania Twain is 79 01:02:27,583 --> 01:02:29,791 turning the big six zero. 80 01:02:29,791 --> 01:02:30,916 She's 60 which is 81 01:02:30,916 --> 01:02:32,041 incredibly hard to believe. 82 01:02:32,416 --> 01:02:33,875 I mean I had a poster of 83 01:02:33,875 --> 01:02:35,875 Shania Twain back in the day. 84 01:02:36,458 --> 01:02:38,500 Well the number one song on this date 85 01:02:38,500 --> 01:02:42,333 back in 1989 was The Bat Dance by Prince. 86 01:02:42,958 --> 01:02:45,208 Now I bet you forgot about this one. 87 01:02:45,791 --> 01:02:48,583 This was a boundary pushing mashup that 88 01:02:48,583 --> 01:02:50,666 was a chaotic, funk 89 01:02:50,666 --> 01:02:52,416 packed love letter to the 90 01:02:52,416 --> 01:02:53,500 Batman soundtrack. 91 01:02:54,000 --> 01:02:55,875 Now if you remember it mixed all these 92 01:02:55,875 --> 01:02:57,541 sounds and samples and 93 01:02:57,541 --> 01:02:59,708 personas and it became one 94 01:02:59,708 --> 01:03:00,458 of Prince's most 95 01:03:00,458 --> 01:03:02,500 experimental number one hits. 96 01:03:02,833 --> 01:03:04,458 And it didn't break any records. 97 01:03:04,458 --> 01:03:06,916 It only held that top spot for one week. 98 01:03:07,458 --> 01:03:09,791 Well let's go ahead and Bat Dance our way 99 01:03:09,791 --> 01:03:11,041 into Stephen R. Covey's 100 01:03:11,041 --> 01:03:12,166 The 7 Habits of Highly 101 01:03:12,166 --> 01:03:13,125 Effective People. 102 01:03:13,583 --> 01:03:15,416 And today we are learning about Covey's 103 01:03:15,416 --> 01:03:17,916 sub-chapter, Synergy in Business. 104 01:03:18,375 --> 01:03:21,208 And in this sub-chapter Covey illustrates 105 01:03:21,208 --> 01:03:22,416 how synergy isn't 106 01:03:22,416 --> 01:03:24,166 just for classrooms like 107 01:03:24,166 --> 01:03:25,083 we talked about yesterday. 108 01:03:25,625 --> 01:03:27,666 It's a game changer in business. 109 01:03:28,500 --> 01:03:30,625 Now he underscores that when teams 110 01:03:30,625 --> 01:03:31,916 operate synergistically 111 01:03:31,916 --> 01:03:34,083 they exceed what any individual 112 01:03:34,083 --> 01:03:34,750 could achieve. 113 01:03:35,291 --> 01:03:37,500 Covey says quote synergy in a business 114 01:03:37,500 --> 01:03:38,916 creates outcomes that no 115 01:03:38,916 --> 01:03:40,791 single person could conceive 116 01:03:40,833 --> 01:03:41,875 alone end quote. 117 01:03:42,541 --> 01:03:44,291 And Covey highlights companies that 118 01:03:44,291 --> 01:03:45,333 invited diverse 119 01:03:45,333 --> 01:03:48,000 perspectives marketing engineering 120 01:03:48,291 --> 01:03:49,750 finance to collaborate 121 01:03:49,750 --> 01:03:51,458 on product development. 122 01:03:52,208 --> 01:03:53,625 And he describes how these 123 01:03:53,625 --> 01:03:55,916 cross-functional teams they generated 124 01:03:55,916 --> 01:03:58,000 breakthroughs like innovative 125 01:03:58,041 --> 01:03:59,125 features efficient 126 01:03:59,125 --> 01:04:01,625 processes and creative solutions. 127 01:04:02,416 --> 01:04:04,291 And Covey further says quote when 128 01:04:04,291 --> 01:04:05,375 individuals bring 129 01:04:05,375 --> 01:04:07,375 complementary strengths to the table 130 01:04:07,791 --> 01:04:10,666 synergy amplifies their impact end quote. 131 01:04:11,208 --> 01:04:13,333 Now as you would expect Covey challenges 132 01:04:13,333 --> 01:04:15,500 hierarchical siloed 133 01:04:15,500 --> 01:04:16,833 structures warning that 134 01:04:16,833 --> 01:04:19,833 such setups stifle input and innovation. 135 01:04:20,333 --> 01:04:22,750 Instead Covey advocates for open forums 136 01:04:22,750 --> 01:04:24,250 brainstorming sessions and 137 01:04:24,250 --> 01:04:26,000 leadership that values dissent 138 01:04:26,333 --> 01:04:27,583 as much as agreement. 139 01:04:28,250 --> 01:04:30,500 So Covey shares a case where a successful 140 01:04:30,500 --> 01:04:33,791 synergy emerged after framing a challenge 141 01:04:33,875 --> 01:04:36,083 not as quote who's right 142 01:04:36,083 --> 01:04:38,500 but what's possible together. 143 01:04:39,041 --> 01:04:42,041 So trust again becomes the foundation. 144 01:04:42,541 --> 01:04:45,458 Covey says quote real synergy requires an 145 01:04:45,458 --> 01:04:46,916 environment where 146 01:04:46,916 --> 01:04:48,333 people trust one another's 147 01:04:48,333 --> 01:04:50,458 intent and their ability end quote. 148 01:04:51,000 --> 01:04:53,708 And in business this trust translates 149 01:04:53,708 --> 01:04:55,416 into improved morale 150 01:04:55,416 --> 01:04:57,333 retention and breakthrough 151 01:04:57,416 --> 01:04:58,125 performance. 152 01:04:58,708 --> 01:05:01,291 Kobe also emphasizes the leaders role 153 01:05:01,291 --> 01:05:03,458 which is to facilitate the synergy. 154 01:05:03,958 --> 01:05:05,083 Leaders must listen deeply. 155 01:05:05,125 --> 01:05:08,000 They need to encourage idea sharing and 156 01:05:08,000 --> 01:05:09,333 frame decisions in terms 157 01:05:09,333 --> 01:05:10,458 of shared vision rather 158 01:05:10,500 --> 01:05:12,458 than individual agendas. 159 01:05:13,000 --> 01:05:14,333 It's less about control 160 01:05:14,333 --> 01:05:15,750 and more about alignment. 161 01:05:16,375 --> 01:05:19,041 OK here's your takeaway in business 162 01:05:19,041 --> 01:05:20,541 synergy means combining 163 01:05:20,541 --> 01:05:22,458 diverse strengths to co-create 164 01:05:22,458 --> 01:05:24,000 solutions greater than 165 01:05:24,000 --> 01:05:25,375 the sum of its parts. 166 01:05:25,750 --> 01:05:27,666 It flourishes and trust rich environments 167 01:05:27,666 --> 01:05:28,416 where teams 168 01:05:28,416 --> 01:05:30,500 collaborate openly and leaders 169 01:05:30,625 --> 01:05:32,333 foster unity of purpose. 170 01:05:33,208 --> 01:05:35,541 So today go out there don't be afraid to 171 01:05:35,541 --> 01:05:37,250 dream of doing something big. 172 01:05:37,750 --> 01:05:39,041 Hey thanks for tuning in today. 173 01:05:39,041 --> 01:05:40,750 Join me tomorrow for more fun music and 174 01:05:40,750 --> 01:05:41,833 motivation and as 175 01:05:41,833 --> 01:05:44,208 always have a fantastic day. 176 01:05:46,125 --> 01:05:47,791 Don't forget to follow and subscribe to 177 01:05:47,791 --> 01:05:48,416 the Morning Serial 178 01:05:48,416 --> 01:05:50,541 podcast on the One Life Live 179 01:05:50,541 --> 01:05:51,041 It channel. 180 01:05:51,583 --> 01:05:53,500 You can find more episodes and videos by 181 01:05:53,500 --> 01:05:54,250 visiting our YouTube 182 01:05:54,250 --> 01:05:56,416 channel and the website at Shawn 183 01:05:56,416 --> 01:05:59,166 English and at ShawnEnglish.com where you 184 01:05:59,166 --> 01:06:01,583 can also follow our other podcast the Mr. 185 01:06:01,666 --> 01:06:02,791 and Mrs. English podcast 186 01:06:02,791 --> 01:06:04,333 and the Life Happens podcast. 187 01:06:05,166 --> 01:06:07,291 And these other podcasts will dive deeper 188 01:06:07,291 --> 01:06:09,250 into everyday issues self improvement and 189 01:06:09,250 --> 01:06:11,750 well being business and finance and we 190 01:06:11,750 --> 01:06:13,000 welcome special guests to. 191 01:06:13,333 --> 01:06:14,250 So join us. 192 01:06:14,250 --> 01:06:15,250 It'll be a good time. 193 01:06:15,250 --> 01:06:15,708 I promise. 194 01:06:16,333 --> 01:06:17,375 Thanks again for listening. 195 01:06:17,375 --> 01:06:18,500 Have a fantastic day. 196 01:06:18,875 --> 01:06:19,458 We'll see you tomorrow.