The Power of a Cohesive Team: why teams that work well together outperform those that don’t
Remember Project Aristotle, the Google study that that broke our assumptions around team success? It was this study that taught us that team success is less reliant on a team of brilliant individuals but more reliant on the way they work together, particularly in terms of fostering psychological safety. We now know that interpersonal dynamics and group synergy is where the magic happens: teams that work well together achieve remarkable results.
Teams who work well together demonstrate:
Increased Productivity: Teams that work well together are inherently more productive. By leveraging each member's strengths and talents, they streamline processes, eliminate inefficiencies, and achieve goals more efficiently. In addition, higher levels of trust and improved communication means team members collaborate seamlessly, avoiding unnecessary delays or bottlenecks.
Enhanced Creativity and Innovation: Cohesive teams foster an environment that encourages creativity and innovation. When team members feel safe to provide honest feedback, offer up unconventional ideas and take calculated risks, they unlock new perspectives and diverse approaches to problem-solving. This culture of innovation fuels continuous improvement and drives the team toward higher levels of success.
Improved Employee Engagement and Satisfaction: A positive team dynamic improves employee engagement and satisfaction. When individuals feel valued, respected, and supported within their team, they are more motivated to contribute their best work in service of the whole. In addition, the camaraderie and sense of belonging that come with strong team relationships foster a fulfilling and enjoyable work environment. And we know that happy employees are more willing to go the extra mile.
Resilience in the Face of Challenges: In today's fast-changing and uncertain business landscape, resilience is critical for success. Cohesive teams are better equipped to navigate challenges, setbacks, and changes with resilience and adaptability. By rallying together in times of adversity, team members provide each other with emotional support, creative solutions, and a shared sense of purpose, enabling the team to emerge stronger than before.
So what are the essential components of a cohesive team?
Trust and Psychological Safety: At the heart of every cohesive team lies an environment of trust, built on mutual respect, integrity, and appropriate vulnerability. When team members trust one another, they feel psychologically safe to express ideas, voice concerns, and challenge each other without fear of judgment or reprisal. This sense of safety fosters stronger communication, increased creativity, and a willingness to collaborate, all ingredients for high performance.
Clear Goals and Roles: High-performing teams share a common sense of purpose and direction. They have clear, well-defined goals that align with the organization's mission and values. In addition, each team member understands their role within the team and how their role contributes to the broader objectives. Clarity in goals and roles minimizes confusion, enhances accountability, and enables teams to focus their efforts on achieving meaningful outcomes.
Effective Communication: Strong communication is the lifeblood of any successful team. High-performing teams prioritize open, honest, and transparent communication channels. They share information freely, actively listen to one another, and provide constructive feedback to foster continuous improvement. Effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page, reduces misunderstandings, and strengthens team cohesion.
Collaboration and Conflict Resolution: Rather than viewing conflict as a hindrance, high-performing teams see it as an opportunity for growth and innovation. They embrace diverse perspectives, engage in constructive debate, and seek consensus-driven solutions. Through effective collaboration and conflict resolution, teams leverage their collective wisdom to overcome challenges, drive innovation, and achieve optimal outcomes.
Creating a high-performing team culture doesn’t happen overnight. It requires intentional effort and commitment from both leaders and team members. By learning to prioritize strong communication, collaboration, and peer support, your team will consistently outperform those who don’t. As the saying goes, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Find out how working with the Enneagram can help improve team dynamics and build a high-trust, high-performing team.