This document discusses the concept of the "3rd alternative" which refers to finding a solution that is better than the typical options of "my way" or "your way". It involves the process of synergy where the whole solution is greater than the sum of its parts. Examples are given of how synergy can be found in teams, relationships, and bringing together divergent ideas. A 4-step process is outlined for arriving at synergy which includes defining the problem, understanding all perspectives, brainstorming ideas, and finding the best solution. The importance of complementarity, prototyping ideas, and considering countertypes is discussed for developing 3rd alternatives.

1. The 3rd Alternative At
work
Sulaman Jamil Bc-11-309
Husnain Amjad Bc-11-339

2. The 3rd Alternative
When we listen to understand. When we deeply believe in
“3rd Alternative” that there is truly something better just
waiting to be created marvelous thing can happen.
 They can happen in your organization.
 The can happen in any relationship.

3.  The 3rd alternative is a way to solve the difficult
problems we face.
 It is not your way and it is not my way.
 It is a higher way.
OUR WAY
MY WAY YOUR WAY

4. How do we get to the 3rd alternative?
 We get to the 3rd alternative through a process called
synergy.
 The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.
 Birds in a V formation can fly nearly twice as far as alone
bird because of the updraft created by the flapping of
their wings.
 Every child is a 3rd alternative with capabilities that never
existed before. Those capabilities cannot be predicted
by adding up the capabilities of the parents.

5. The 2nd Alternative Fight or Flight
Fight or flight is the body’s response to threat or danger. Your
body is faced with the decision to fight or run away from the
situation.
A third alternative response which often comes before fight
or flight is freezing. This is often used by prey as they seek not
to be noticed by predators.

7. Synergy
Synergy is the benefit that results when two or more agents
work together to achieve something either one couldn't
have achieved on its own.
Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.” -
Helen Keller
Synergy doesn’t just happen it’s a process. You have to
get there.

8. The 3rd Alternative Synergy
 Synergy is a miracle.
 It is a concept that is difficult for people to understand.
 Synergy is better than my way or your way.
 It is our way.
 It is a win-win situation.
 It is not a compromise where everyone loses something.
 Compromise breeds satisfaction but not delight.

9. 4 steps to Synergy
Step 1
• Ask the 3rd
Alternative
Question
Step 2
• Define
Criteria of
Success
Step 3
• Create 3rd
Alternatives
Step 4
• Arrive at
Synergy

10. Where can Synergy be Found in
Humans
 Synergy is common in humans. An example would be a
good football team. A football team needs every player
on its team other wise the team would be extremely
horrible like the Lions.

11. Where can Synergy be Found in
Humans
 Also a great band needs every single member to be
effective. It’s not just the drums, or the guitar, or the
saxophone, or the vocalists it is the sum total of all their
works that makes up the sound.

12. An Example of Synergy
THE VACATION
 Dad: I don’t care how you feel. You’re going on this
vacation whether you like it or not. We've had this
planned for months, and its important that we spend
some time together as a family.
 You: But I don’t want to go. I want to be with my friends.
I’ll miss out on everything.
 Mom: I don’t want you staying here by yourself. I’d worry
the whole time and it would ruin my vacation. We want
you with us.

13. Define the Problem or Opportunity
 In this, we have a problem. It’s this:
 My parents want me to vacation with the family, but I
would rather stay home and go out with my friends.

14. Their Way (SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND THE WAYS
OF OTHERS)
 This vacation is very important to my dad. He wants to
have a family bonding time. He feels it wont be the
same without me. Mom feels that they would worry so
much about me being home alone that they wouldn't
enjoy the vacation.

15. My way (SEEK TO BE UNDERSTOOD BY SHARING
YOUR IDEAS.)
 Mom and Dad, I want to stay home and be with my
friends. They are very important to me. We have a lot of
things planned, and I don’t want to miss out on any of
the fun. Bedsides, I go crazy when I have to drive in a
crowded car all day with my little brother and sister.
Brainstorm (create new options and ideas)
Throw out your wildest ideas. Let it flow.

16. The High Way (FIND THE BEST SOLUTION)
 We all agreed that I could stay home during the first half
of the week and then bus out with a friend to join the
family for the second half. They even offered to pay the
bus for my friend and me if I would paint the fence. It’s
not hard work, so I will still have time to hang out with my
friends. They’re happy and so am I.

17. My Way Our Way Your Way
New Ideas

18. Synergy is…
Celebrating Differences
Teamwork
 Open-minded
 Seeks new & better ways
Synergy is not…
 Tolerating Differences
 Working Independently
 Closed to other opinions
 Gives up or give in

19. 3rd alternative at work
Transform
Fight Flee

20. 3rd Alternative AT SCHOOL
Business Educators
Leadership

21. 3RD ALTERNATIVE IN LIFE
Keep Working
Retire to
Leisure
Contribute

22. Hubris: The Great Barrier to Synergy
 Hubris means Extreme Pride or Self Confidence.
 The Toughest Barrier to Synergy Is “Pride”.
 The Ancient Greeks Thought That Hubris, or Extreme
Arrogance Was The Worst of a Crime.
 Today we have seen the collapse of some of our most
trusted institutions just because of Hubris.
 The main symptom of Hubris is a lack of conflict.
 An example of the former head of the Royal Bank of
Scotland.

23. The “GET”
G is for
• GAIN
• My personal gain
• What I’ve earned
• What is due to me
E is for
• EMOTIONS
• My feelings
• My insecurities
• My fears
• My identity
T is for
• TERRITORY
• My truth
• My headcount
• My budget
• My project
• My expertise

24. 3rd Alternative Teams
 Innovation depends on synergy.
 Synergy requires diversity
 Innovative companies organize themselves into teams with divergent
strengths

25. Complementary Team:
 Strengths are made productive.
 Weakness are made irrelevant.
 Teams members complete each other.
 Such team is capable for creating 3rd alternative.
 Repel differences…great enemies of synergy.

26. Converging Divergence
 Complementary teams turn out divergent insights.
 Reproduce the environment…Made fertile Connections and synergies
develop.
 Nathan Myhrvold: “for fun and profit”
 Creativity is synergy plus what matters.

27. Teaming Without Frontiers
 Complementary teams know no boundaries.
 Can talk and meet and think with anyone anywhere anytime we want.
 Enemy…Cultural walls: Should work hard to raze those walls as well.
 LEGO world best toymaker…Tormod Askildsen.

28. Merging into a 3rd Alternative
 Company merge for different reasons:
e.g. :Econaomic scales, access to new markets, Diversification.
 Some mergers for achieve synergy.
 Mergers are motivated by hubris not synergy.
e.g. status and money for top leaders.
 Many business allergic to word synergy.

29. Merging into a 3rd Alternative
 See our strength other opportunities…other strength our opportunities.
 Merge only when we can create a complementary team.
 Synergy is a transformation strategy for business.
Synergy creates new industries and business.
 Merger is not just a matter of combining assets.

30. 3rd Alternative Skills
 Prototyping and Countertyping.
 Blending prototypes .
 Countertyping Business Models.
 Finding countertypes in the developing world.

31. Prototyping and Countertyping
 Prototyping: Make models, draw pictures on white board,
sketch diagrams, build mockups…show everyone to
what you think and what you have in mind.
 Prototype is a model to test an idea.
e.g. Electronic Engineers, Software Engineers ,Business
owner.
 Create great decision making sense.

32. Prototyping and Countertyping
 Countertyping: Turn ideas on their heads.
 Countertype is a model that overturns expectations.
 Most creative solution for problems.
 New ways to solve a problem.
 Both are efficient ways for complementary teams to arrive at a 3rd
alternative.

33. Blending prototypes
 Combinations elements of many prototypes.
 VHS and Betamax Videotape.
 Complementary team called Technical working group (TWIG).
 Chairman: Alan Bell of IBM.

34. Countertyping Business Model
 Every company wants to be 3rd alternative company.
 3rd alternatives companies go through a countertyping phase …they
diverge from the norm.
 Have countertype business model: truly serve and care for their customer.
e.g. Disney Park.
 Deep respect and empathy for their employees and customer.
e.g. Panera care... Panera Bread.

35. Finding countertypes in developing
countries
 Low cost and Low energy change the global economy.
 Bangalore… Harish Hande.
 How to genrate electricity for people at virtually no cost and save the
environment at the same time.
 3rd alternatives thinkers are connecting around the globe.