The Synergist

About the Author

Les McKeown is a highly acclaimed consultant, author, and speaker, renowned for his expertise in organizational growth and development. As the President & CEO of Predictable Success, McKeown has a wealth of experience, having started over 40 companies and consulted with numerous others. His clients include prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, American Express, T-Mobile, and many more. Since moving to the United States from Ireland in 1998, McKeown has been dedicated to advising CEOs and senior leaders on achieving scalable, sustainable growth. He has shared his insights on major media outlets like CNN, ABC, and BBC, and has been featured in publications such as Inc., Entrepreneur, USA Today, and The New York Times.

Main Idea

Les McKeown’s book, The Synergist: How to Lead Your Team to Predictable Success, delves into the dynamics of team interactions and offers profound insights on overcoming the inherent dysfunctions within teams. McKeown posits that every successful team comprises four critical roles: the Visionary, the Operator, the Processor, and the Synergist. While the Visionary, Operator, and Processor roles are naturally occurring and often lead to conflict and gridlock, the Synergist role is essential for harmonizing these dynamics and steering the team towards cohesive, productive outcomes. McKeown's book provides a blueprint for anyone to learn and adopt the Synergist role, thereby transforming their team interactions and enhancing organizational success.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: What a Synergist Is and Why You Should Care
2. Part I: The Unstable Triangle
   • The Visionary
   • The Operator
   • The Processor
3. Part II: The Synergist
   • Limping to the End Line
   • From Triangle to Pyramid
4. Part III: Becoming a Leader of Leaders
   • Inside the Secret Garden
   • The Rhythm of Success

Introduction: What a Synergist Is and Why You Should Care

McKeown begins by addressing a common challenge: why do so many teams fail to perform, achieving compromise at best and gridlock at worst? The key to overcoming this dysfunction lies in understanding and implementing the role of the Synergist. As McKeown explains, teams fail due to the innately unstable dynamics between Visionaries, Operators, and Processors. Each of these roles has distinct motivations, views, and goals, which often clash and lead to inefficiencies. However, a Synergist can bridge these differences, ensuring that the team works together harmoniously towards common goals. This role can be learned by anyone, regardless of their formal position within the team.

Part I: The Unstable Triangle

The Visionary

Visionaries are bold dreamers who generate creative ideas and take risks. They thrive on innovation and are driven by the desire to solve problems and create new opportunities. However, their tendency to disengage from details and become bored easily can lead to frustration among team members. Visionaries are essential for their ability to see the big picture and inspire others, but they need to be managed carefully to ensure their ideas are implemented effectively.