Everyone thinks that hiring the best people for the company is the most important thing to its long-term success. Even though you have the right people in the right positions, it does not mean that you catch up the long-term success. Sometimes the best talent for a job isn’t the one with the most experience or qualifications. Instead, they could be the person who works best in a group. If you want to be the best, the next is to bring these individuals together as a cohesive team.
We work with global businesses on a daily basis, and a repeating pattern we’ve realized is that team cohesion is the key to the efficiency of almost all successful businesses. In this article, we will look at the definition and the importance of team cohesiveness and ways to improve team cohesiveness in the workplace.
What is Team Cohesion
Team cohesion happens when everyone in a group feels like they belong and are all working toward the same goal. A big part of team cohesion is staying together during a project and feeling like you’ve made a difference in the group’s success. Members of a group not only respect each other, but they also trust each other to contribute equally, to support each other, and to work as a team with the whole in mind.
Cohesive teams are mostly made up of people with various talents from various backgrounds. What unites them all together is a powerful sense of identity derived from the organization itself. They share the same values, aims, and processes. Besides, team cohesion does not occur congenitally to most people and must be encouraged through trust and interpersonal relationships among team members.
Why is Team Cohesion Important
Team cohesion has an impact on almost every aspect of your business, yet it is particularly important for efficiency. Almost 97% of employees believe that a lack of alignment with team members has a negative impact on task outcomes.
Besides, employee engagement is also heavily influenced by team cohesion. Under normal circumstances, the percentage of employees who are disengaged at work is around 70%. However, in the wake of COVID-19, this number has increased for a variety of reasons. Increasing team cohesion naturally increases employee engagement by encouraging positive relationships, team goals, and shared values that increase commitment.
In a nutshell, team cohesion is essential for a variety of reasons, including:
- Improved communication and collaboration among team members
- Increased job satisfaction among employees who are part of a cohesive team
- Decreased use of resources due to a team’s effectiveness and efficiency
- A stronger ability to meet company objectives and goals
- A positive work environment
The more cohesive a team is, the more obvious the benefits of team cohesion are.
How to Improve Team Cohesion
Team cohesion does not always occur immediately. It is typically the result of managers’ deliberate actions to facilitate effective group dynamics. To that end, you can take the steps outlined below:
1. Define goals and values
Even a startup or small business should have a mission statement and a set of company values. These are critical for steering your company in the right direction. They will also assist you in finding the right individuals to build a successful team. With a fully established set of values, you can provide your team with a strong sense of what they are working on, which immediately unites them.
If you don’t already have a vision and mission statement, you can collaborate with your team to develop one. This will contribute to the growth of trust and give them a stronger sense of group cohesion. They become part of creating common goals and ways of thinking.
2. Show your trust
It is critical that your team members feel comfortable with open communication as you open up communication channels—not just discussing tasks and how to complete them. They should not be afraid to express their thoughts and ideas, whether they are speaking to you, a direct supervisor, or a coworker.
First of all, you need to set the precedent and be transparent yourself to build trust. Then you must demonstrate over time that you value your team’s opinion. If they burn out as a result of being overwhelmed with tasks, arrange a meeting to discuss a new method and strategy. When your team members see your efforts to improve their working environment, they will trust you.
3. Increase communication
Another important aspect of achieving team goals is open and honest communication. Each member must feel at ease enough to ask questions, provide feedback, and share any grievances that may arise. Furthermore, they must think that their voices will be heard and acknowledged.
4. Team Bonding & Celebrate Wins
Finally, remember to have fun. There should always be time to celebrate after receiving feedback and completing difficult projects.
The final step in forming a cohesive and dynamic team is to thank your coworkers for their efforts. Remember that creating a cohesive team is an ongoing process. New projects bring new challenges and members to the team. Creating opportunities to celebrate and bond outside of work tasks is the most effective way to maintain team cohesion over time.
Build the Best Team by Hiring Wisely
The process of creating a company necessitates strong team cohesion. To increase productivity, you need inspired and passionate people. The best way to connect with your talented developer and make them fall in love with your company’s mission is through team cohesion.
These suggestions are based on our direct experience as a remote recruitment agency. Our team is spread across the globe, but distance has never been an issue for us.
Contact us if you need an expert eye to go over the application or someone who knows how to ask the right questions! We will guide you through the entire hiring process in order to find the best remote developers for your project!