--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And when that's working, the sum can be…" description: "\"And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.\" — Jim Coleman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg" --- # And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the… ![“And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.” quote by Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg) > “And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.” [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. When collaboration works, the combined result exceeds individual contributions. **In simple terms:** Teamwork can produce results greater than separate parts. Key Takeaway Leverage teamwork for greater impact. Themes teamwork synergy collaboration efficiency Mood motivational strategic Type advice teamwork When to use this quote - project teams - business partnerships - sports squads - creative groups Key Concepts collective intelligence emergent properties Questions to Reflect On - How can you foster effective teamwork? - What prevents groups from achieving synergy? A Different Perspective Synergy can falter without clear roles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) [Greater Parts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-parts-5004106/) [Parts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parts/) [Sum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sum/) [Sum Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sum-greater-4844280/) [Than](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/than/) [Working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working/) [Working Sum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/working-sum-5487954/) ## Related quotes > [Harmony is when the sum is greater than the parts. A happy exaggeration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-siberry/harmony-is-when-the-sum-is-greater-than-the-parts-a-happy-exaggeration/) [Jane Siberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-siberry/) > [“The sum of the day was truly greater than its parts.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/the-sum-of-the-day-was-truly-greater-than-its-parts/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [Together we are bigger than the sum of our parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/betsy-hodges/together-we-are-bigger-than-the-sum-of-our-parts/) [Betsy Hodges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/betsy-hodges/) > [I started out doing music videos and photography, and I always loved writing. Filmmaking seemed to be a good compilation of all these skills…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brendan-fletcher/i-started-out-doing-music-videos-and-photography-and-i-always-loved/) [Brendan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brendan-fletcher/) > [For all the power of video and film, I am not giving up my pen. I am just much more likely to try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/for-all-the-power-of-video-and-film-i-am-not-giving-up-my-pen-i-am/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [I learned that Congress is a place with more heart than courage; there are more good souls in Washington than brave ones. I learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-castro/i-learned-that-congress-is-a-place-with-more-heart-than-courage-there/) [Joaquin Castro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-castro/) > [I love the entire ritual of getting dressed. When we do a fashion show, we try to send out a message; we couldn't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-jacobs/i-love-the-entire-ritual-of-getting-dressed-when-we-do-a-fashion-show/) [Marc Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-jacobs/) > [“ONE BUT MANY One God, many faces. One family, many races. One truth, many paths. One heart, many complexions. One light, many reflections. One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/one-but-many-one-god-many-faces-one-family-many-races-one-truth-many/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“It’s the small everyday activities added up that total the sum of our existence.⁣”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie-norton/it-s-the-small-everyday-activities-added-up-that-total-the-sum-of-our/) [Richie Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie-norton/) > [A football club is the sum of all its parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-jordan/a-football-club-is-the-sum-of-all-its-parts/) [Simon Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-jordan/) > [A composition is always more than the sum of its parts. In other words, a really good piece of music is more than itself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yo-yo-ma/a-composition-is-always-more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts-in-other-words/) [Yo-Yo Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yo-yo-ma/) > [We measure our enjoyments by the sum expended.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-adler/we-measure-our-enjoyments-by-the-sum-expended/) [Felix Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-adler/) > [I'm a very dim sum person, haha. I love rice!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackson-wang/i-m-a-very-dim-sum-person-haha-i-love-rice/) [Jackson Wang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackson-wang/) > [I like to think we're all the sum of our experiences, so no one has my perspective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronny-chieng/i-like-to-think-we-re-all-the-sum-of-our-experiences-so-no-one-has-my/) [Ronny Chieng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronny-chieng/) > [If we have to sum up the Book of Revelation in one phrase, it would be, 'Jesus wins.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jud-wilhite/if-we-have-to-sum-up-the-book-of-revelation-in-one-phrase-it-would-be/) [Jud Wilhite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jud-wilhite/) ## More by Jim Coleman > [For electronica music, David Linton has been doing this series called Unity Gain, which is pretty cool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/for-electronica-music-david-linton-has-been-doing-this-series-called/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [So, through playing with Cop I realized that there is a potentially interested audience out in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/so-through-playing-with-cop-i-realized-that-there-is-a-potentially/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [I'm just like you, only I'm different because I'm me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/i-m-just-like-you-only-i-m-different-because-i-m-me/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [First, I'm trying to edit down about 7 hours of material which I made prior to the Cop days and find some way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/first-i-m-trying-to-edit-down-about-7-hours-of-material-which-i-made/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [I don't think I really know just how cool Satan really was when I was in Junior High School. Now, thanks to Marilyn Manson,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/i-don-t-think-i-really-know-just-how-cool-satan-really-was-when-i-was/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [I do remember being in high school and trying to go to an Outlaws concert, but I was too drunk and ended up in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/i-do-remember-being-in-high-school-and-trying-to-go-to-an-outlaws/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [As a kid, I used to go see all the jazz players, Oscar Peterson, Stan Kenton, Dave Brubeck, Dizzy Gillespe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/as-a-kid-i-used-to-go-see-all-the-jazz-players-oscar-peterson-stan/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [I actually went to film school and was making experimental films for a short time, so it wasn't such a leap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/i-actually-went-to-film-school-and-was-making-experimental-films-for/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [Unfortunately, however, I have too many desires to make a good Buddhist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/unfortunately-however-i-have-too-many-desires-to-make-a-good-buddhist/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [In scoring, I usually start with a sound or group of sounds, searching out what feels right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/in-scoring-i-usually-start-with-a-sound-or-group-of-sounds-searching/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [With Frat House, at times I needed to make music that would reflect what these fraternity brothers might actually listen to, but still keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/with-frat-house-at-times-i-needed-to-make-music-that-would-reflect/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [When I recorded Contra la Puerta, I never really thought out doing the material live. Mostly because I haven't really seen any electronic music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/when-i-recorded-contra-la-puerta-i-never-really-thought-out-doing-the/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [I think that one of the strengths of Cop Shoot Cop lay in the different, and at times, clashing personalities, Ideally, I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/i-think-that-one-of-the-strengths-of-cop-shoot-cop-lay-in-the/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [Yes, I was forced to take piano lessons for 8 years as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/yes-i-was-forced-to-take-piano-lessons-for-8-years-as-a-child/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) > [Also, differences of opinion can be creatively stimulating as well as frustrating.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/also-differences-of-opinion-can-be-creatively-stimulating-as-well-as/) [Jim Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) [Explore all 30 Jim Coleman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/) ## More Greater quotes > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [To an ever greater extent out experience is governed by pictures, pictures in newspapers and magazines, on television and in the cinema. Next to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-crimp/to-an-ever-greater-extent-out-experience-is-governed-by-pictures/) [Douglas Crimp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-crimp/) > [He's a fool that marries; but he's a greater fool that does not marry a fool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wycherley/he-s-a-fool-that-marries-but-he-s-a-greater-fool-that-does-not-marry/) [William Wycherley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wycherley/) > [When you stop a dictator, there are always risks. But there are greater risks in not stopping a dictator.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/when-you-stop-a-dictator-there-are-always-risks-but-there-are-greater/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Our young Marines of today are courageous, willing to make sacrifices, and are marvelous team players. I am confident our Corps, and indeed our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-t-conway/our-young-marines-of-today-are-courageous-willing-to-make-sacrifices/) [James T. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-t-conway/) > [The unexpressed is always of greater value than the expressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zona-gale/the-unexpressed-is-always-of-greater-value-than-the-expressed/) [Zona Gale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zona-gale/) > [Life takes hold of us with strong hands and makes us greater than we thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-canfield-fisher/life-takes-hold-of-us-with-strong-hands-and-makes-us-greater-than-we/) [Dorothy Canfield Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-canfield-fisher/) > [Donald Trump is a different ball of wax. I've been trying to say for I don't know how many months now that the traditional…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/donald-trump-is-a-different-ball-of-wax-i-ve-been-trying-to-say-for-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [I think that as a writer your responsibility is to search for and stir up the things that are in this world. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/i-think-that-as-a-writer-your-responsibility-is-to-search-for-and/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [In comparative terms, there's no poverty in America by a long shot. Heritage Foundation political scientist Robert Rector has worked up figures showing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/in-comparative-terms-there-s-no-poverty-in-america-by-a-long-shot/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [No greater victory can be won by citizens or soldiers than to transform temporary foes into permanent friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jennings-bryan/no-greater-victory-can-be-won-by-citizens-or-soldiers-than-to/) [William Jennings Bryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jennings-bryan/) > [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [What greater insult can you give God than to take your own life?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-thibodeau/what-greater-insult-can-you-give-god-than-to-take-your-own-life/) [David Thibodeau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-thibodeau/) [Browse all 5,587 Greater quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jim Coleman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-greater-than-the-parts/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Greater" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-greater-than-the-parts/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c67/jim-coleman-20905_greater_and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-g_690567.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“And when that's working, the sum can be greater than the parts.” — Jim Coleman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jim Coleman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-coleman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "And when that's working, the sum...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-greater-than-the-parts/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-coleman/and-when-that-s-working-the-sum-can-be-greater-than-the-parts/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```