“The pool of shared meaning is the birthplace of synergy” (Kerry Patterson, Crucial Conversations)
Shared meaning can be missed, suppressed, blown up, or ignored for a variety of reasons. If the mission (purpose / what) is unclear it is harder to join in. If the vision (why) is unclear, we may join in effort, but in the wrong direction. If the values (how) are unclear we may be working against each other within the purpose / vision.
Possibly one of the most subtle yet damaging ways to blow up synergy is through intimidation.
Examples:
NASA – The spaceship Columbia disaster could have been avoided if NASA engineers had been listened to, and their concerns addressed. Instead, senior managers ignored and suppressed the information and did not delay the launch.
