(Figure – 1: The
6C Model for Building a Cohesive Team)
Cohesive team consistently
performs execution to perfection. Therefore, building a cohesive team is a
fundamental but often complex challenge for any organization. A cohesive team
is one where members work collaboratively, trust one another, communicate
effectively, and share a common vision.
This blogpost is an attempt to suggest
a way to achieve cohesion within a team. In doing this attempt, it may be good
to identify critical attributes for achievement of cohesion in a team. In my
opinion, the following characteristic attributes of cohesion can be considered
deterministic attributes for cohesion. This is also shown in the attached
figure.
1. Commitment
- Commitment in a team refers to the shared dedication of all members to the
team’s goals, values, and mutual success. It is a psychological bond that
motivates individuals to act in the interest of the group, even when challenges
arise (within the team or in the external environment).
2. Collaboration
- Collaboration in a team is the process by which team members actively work
together, sharing ideas, responsibilities, and resources to achieve common
goals. It involves open communication, mutual respect, shared decision-making,
and coordinated efforts.
3. Communication
- Communication within a team refers to the exchange of information, ideas,
feedback, and emotions among team members that facilitates understanding,
coordination, trust, and effective collaboration toward shared goals. Within a
team, all voices are valued, regardless of role or status. Thus, communication
in teams is not just about talking—it’s about creating shared understanding
that enables coordinated action, trust, and high performance. Strong
communication practices are foundational to team success.
4. Clarity
- Clarity within a team refers to the explicit understanding of critical
aspects of the work, dynamics of the work at hand, goals, roles,
responsibilities, expectations, and processes among all team members. It
ensures everyone knows what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how
their work fits into the team’s broader objectives.
5. Convergence
- Convergence in a team refers to the process by which team members align their
diverse perspectives, ideas, and inputs into a shared understanding, decision,
or direction. It involves moving from initial divergence (idea generation or
differing viewpoints) toward unity in purpose, priorities, or action.
6. Consensus
- Consensus in a team refers to a collective agreement reached by all team
members where each person supports the final decision—even if it wasn’t their
first choice—because they believe the process was fair, their voice was heard,
and the decision serves the team’s best interest. Inclusive participation and shared
responsibilities hold key to consensus building in a team.
Keeping an eye on the above attributes
(the 6 Cs) and ensuring that they are adhered to by the team both in letter and
(more importantly) in the spirit (not necessarily is the same order as illustrated in
the above point) could help in building and maintaining a cohesive team.
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