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Increasing Team Cohesion

Team cohesion is a vital part of building success in any organization. At the 2023 California JPIA Risk Management Educational Forum, Senior Consultant for 34th Street Consulting, Jacob Houghton, delved into the dynamics of team cohesion, providing insight on significant barriers to effective collaboration within organizations and offering solutions for fostering a more unified, trusting work environment.

“Paradigms significantly shape our worldview, acting as a filter influenced by our assumptions, beliefs, and values,” said Houghton. “If we could begin by understanding and respecting each individual’s view, it would build a foundation for a common understanding and unity.”

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Houghton identified silos as one organizational issue. Causes such as voids in leadership, departmental isolation, hybrid work cultures, and unhealthy competition were identified as catalysts for silo formation. Houghton highlighted the effects of silos, including strained relationships, information barriers, and compromised mental health.

He proposed breaking down silos by “installing windows,” a metaphorical call to enhance transparency and communication. He stressed the pivotal role of leadership in initiating this change and advocated for the construction of effective teams equipped with technical skills and communication abilities.

A culture of trust emerged as a foundational element of cohesive teamwork. Houghton outlined several factors contributing to trust: ability, integrity, and character. He then underscored the importance of consistency, accountability, relationship-building, and sound judgment in fostering a culture of trust within an organization.

“If we want people to partake in the change we are asking them to make, we must start with trust,” said Houghton. “Trust is one of the most rewarding and effective ways of developing team cohesion.”

Drawing insights from Daniel Coyle’s book, The Culture Code, Houghton accentuated the need for a sense of belonging, safety, shared purpose, and vulnerability among employees. He highlighted the power of vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of creating an environment where individuals feel safe to express struggles without fear or judgment.

In his presentation, Houghton cited statistical evidence of the benefits of belonging. Those who felt belonging had a 56 percent increase in job performance, a 50 percent drop in turnover risk, a 75 percent reduction in sick days, and a 167 percent increase in employer promoter score.

He offered practical steps for implementing change: communicating clearly, addressing low-hanging fruit first to demonstrate efficacy, and identifying influential team members to champion these transformations. Houghton explained that by doing these things first, people can see that the ideas work.

“History is to be learned from and not lived in,” he said. “We must embrace and view change as a catalyst to better ourselves and our work environment.”

Houghton’s presentation highlighted a web of factors that contribute to team cohesion. He also provided a roadmap for organizations to navigate and overcome challenges through collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. By breaking down silos, fostering trust, and embracing change, workplaces can cultivate a culture where individuals thrive and organizations flourish.

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