by John Hewitt

Created on: January 17, 2010

What exactly is team cohesion and how can it be used? Very simply team cohesion is the ability of a team to stick together during a project or an exercise. When you have a high level of team cohesion truly marvellous events can take place.

In Haiti at the moment the tragic earthquake is exactly the sort of environment that needs substantial team cohesion. This will enable planning and logistics to be optimized and thus help ensure the success of the mission.

Of course at a smaller level, team cohesion is a very necessary element in the business world. I have worked in the restaurant industry and have witnessed the collapse of team cohesion - usually between the waiting staff and the chefs – which has resulted in a chain reaction of communication breakdown which finalises in poor customer service; then these customers do not return, profitability is down and the further team cohesion is compromised.

The best way to keep that all important team cohesion solid is through a union of purpose and goal setting. This can simply be carried out through a common mission statement or setting a business goal that requires all individuals to play a part. Having experienced the jealous nature of some workforces when faced with a single highly productive employee, it came to the conclusion that although individuals should be recognised there should also be a pulling together of groups as a whole to stabilise the team cohesion. Perhaps goals for all employees but only when all reach a particular level of productivity.

This of course can be implemented at the beginning of an employee’s training and in fact at the interview itself. Trying to handpick employees that really want to work for the team can be a challenge but if you can build a team based on this premise then team cohesion will be strengthened.

Of course further down the management line, team cohesion can weaken if there is a conflict of management ideas or a contradiction of requirements. This is where a good, solid, hands-on chain of command is vital. Delegation is one thing yet merely allowing lower management to run wild can be disastrous. Again I have witnessed ‘hands-off’ management that has done nothing except allow the collapse of any team cohesion.

Of course team cohesion is not just for the work place; it can be used at a family level or within a relationship. The emphasis is on a mission statement in whatever form that takes and the striving for a common goal based on trust and team work. These elements are truly the super glue of team cohesion.

Learn more about this author, John Hewitt.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.