According to Covey, the essence of synergy is: 

a) to value differences---to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses. 

b) to blend the various parts into a homogenized and unified whole. 

c) to overcome the competitive spirit endemic to nature and to tame nature's tendencies through cooperation. 

d) to achieve something noble in human relations that cannot be found in the savagery of nature. 

e) to eliminate the spirit of competition (win/lose), which is never appropriate, and practice the spirit of cooperation (win/win), which is always appropriate