Six Strategies for Building Cohesion and Effective Teams
Recognize and respect diversity: Every team member brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives
In our fast-paced and highly competitive working environment, your ability to build effective and cohesive teams is critical to achieving organizational success. I keep repeating to my students and colleagues — teams that work well together can overcome challenges, innovate, and drive the company towards its goals. However, creating such teams requires more than just bringing together talented individuals and managers. It involves intentional strategies that foster collaboration, trust, and a shared sense of purpose.
Here are the six strategies to build cohesive and effective teams.
1. Establish a Clear Vision and Goals
In his book «Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World» General Stanley McChrystal once said: «In a team of teams, the relationships between teams matter as much as the relationships within teams.» Indeed, cohesive team begins with a shared understanding of the team’s purpose and objectives. Establishing a clear vision is the foundation upon which all other strategies are built. This vision should be communicated in a way that is both inspiring and understandable to all team members. When everyone knows what the team is working towards, they can align their efforts and focus on common goals.
To implement this strategy:
— Articulate the vision clearly: Make sure that the vision is not just a statement but something that resonates with team members. It should be something they can relate to and feel passionate about.
— Set specific, measurable, and attainable goals: These goals should be broken down into smaller milestones, which provide a roadmap for the team and a way to measure progress.
— Regularly review and update goals: As projects evolve, so too should the team’s goals. Regular check-ins ensure that everyone remains on the same page and can adjust as necessary.
2. Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork
«Collaboration is at the heart of team cohesion» — it is easy to say but hard to achieve! The challenge is how to make team members work together effectively, so they can leverage each other’s strengths, compensate for weaknesses, and achieve more than they could individually. Encouraging collaboration requires creating opportunities for team members to work together and building a culture that values teamwork.
To encourage collaboration:
— Design collaborative projects: Assign tasks that require input from multiple team members, and create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration. This not only improves outcomes but also helps team members develop a deeper understanding of their roles and strengths.
— Create a supportive environment: Foster a culture where collaboration is valued and where team members are willing to help each other. This can be supported by recognizing and rewarding collaborative efforts (even a cup of coffee will work!).
— Use collaborative tools: Provide team members with the tools they need to collaborate effectively, whether it’s project management software, shared documents, or communication platforms.
3. Foster Open Communication
Effective communication is the backbone of any cohesive team. Open communication fosters trust, reduces misunderstandings, and ensures that everyone is on the same page. It’s not just about talking but also about listening and understanding the perspectives of others.
To foster effective intra-team communication:
— Encourage transparency: Team members should feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of retribution. This can be achieved by creating a comfortable space for dialogues where all voices are valued.
— Cultivate active listening behaviors: Ensure that team members are not just waiting for their turn to speak, but they are genuinely engaged in what others are saying. This can be reinforced through training, by modeling good listening behavior, or having lunch-time exchanges over a cup of tea.
— Use the right communication tools: Depending on the nature of the team, choose communication tools that fit the team’s needs—whether it’s face-to-face meetings, video conferencing, or collaborative platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack or Microsoft Teams.
4. Build Trust and Mutual Respect in your team
Trust is a critical component of team cohesion, especially trust in common vision and goals! Without it, team members may hesitate to share ideas or take risks, which can in turn encourage innovation and collaboration. Well, building trust takes quite some time and it requires consistent effort from both leaders and team members.
To build trust and mutual respect:
— Lead by example: Leaders should demonstrate trust in their team members by delegating tasks, giving them autonomy, and supporting them in their roles. When leaders trust their team, it sets the tone for how team members treat each other.
— Recognize and respect diversity: Every team member brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Acknowledge and celebrate these differences, and ensure that all voices are heard and respected.
— Follow through on commitments: Reliability is a key element of trust. When team members consistently follow through on their commitments, trust naturally builds.
5. Develop Strong Leadership
Strong leadership is crucial for building and maintaining team cohesion. In his book, «The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable» Patrick Lencioni highlighted «Trust is knowing that when a team member does push you, they’re doing it because they care about the team.» Leaders set the tone for the team, provide direction, and help navigate challenges. A strong leader is not only a decision-maker but also a facilitator who empowers team members and fosters a positive team environment and promotes compromises in all difficult situations.
To develop strong leadership:
— Invest in leadership training: Provide training for team leaders on key leadership skills such as conflict resolution, communication, and emotional intelligence. Strong MBA-style leaders are those who can effectively manage the dynamics of a team and help each member perform at their best.
— Be adaptable: Effective leaders are flexible and can adjust their leadership style based on the needs of the team and the situation. This means knowing when to be hands-on and when to step back and let the team take the lead.
— Provide regular feedback: Constructive feedback is essential for personal and team growth. Leaders should provide regular feedback to team members, both positive and corrective, to help them improve and feel valued.
6. Promote a Positive Team Culture
Many achievements in building good teams boil down to building a positive team culture that is the glue that holds a cohesive team together. It is the environment in which team members feel valued, motivated, and engaged. In my leadership course I usually say — promoting a positive team culture involves creating a work environment where people enjoy coming to work and comfortable of dining together, where they feel appreciated, and where their contributions are recognized.
To promote a positive team culture:
— Celebrate successes: Recognize and celebrate both individual and team achievements (a nice cake will also do the job!). This not only boosts morale but also reinforces the behaviors that lead to success.
— Encourage work-life balance: Support your team in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This can be achieved by being flexible with work hours, encouraging time off, and promoting wellness initiatives.
— Build team traditions: Whether it’s regular team lunches, after-work events, or annual retreats, traditions can help build camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
Conclusion
Building a cohesive and effective team is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that requires dedication and intentionality. By establishing a clear vision, fostering open communication, building trust, encouraging collaboration, developing strong leadership, and promoting a positive team culture, leaders can create teams that are not only effective but also resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges. As you continue to upscaling your businesses, your ability to build and sustain — what you can call «My winning team» will be a critical factor in long-term success.
These strategies, when implemented consistently, can transform a group of individuals into a unified team that is capable of achieving extraordinary results. In the end, the strength of a team lies not just in the individual talents of its members, but in how well they work together towards a common goal.
