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By Mike SchoenfeldDid you know being part of a team can improve your well-being? Team experiences that help shape you as an individual can transfer into other areas of your life too. Through relationship building, leaders and team members can come together to create stronger team cohesion, increase performance, and improve the well-being of each person in the group.
The benefits of building team cohesion, include:
- Team members who have better relationships with their peers and leaders perform better in training and events.
- Team cohesion can increase motivation, leading to a greater sense of well-being.
- Relationship building creates a feeling of belongingness, which can add to team cohesion.
1. Show interest in each team member
Get to know team members as individuals. Taking an interest in each person shows you care about them. Leaders who only care about the performance of their team won’t likely see each member at their best. Try HPRC’s Active Constructive Responding worksheet to practice reacting to team members in an encouraging way.
2. Set team and individual goals
Goal setting using methods such as SMART Goals can improve the leader-follower relationship and become a great source of motivation. Set goals often and make sure they’re attainable. Set aside time to reflect on your goals too. It creates another opportunity for leaders and teammates to bond, further strengthening those relationships.
3. Commit to your team on and off the “field”
It’s important to have your group members’ backs during training or team events—and to support them outside the group. One of the best ways to build relationships is by showing you care, which can help build an encouraging environment and a greater sense of belonging.
4. Make it fun
When people have fun during training or meetings, they want to be there. When you create short, fun activities to get away from the boredom of everyday training, you can increase the pleasurable moments for everyone. Activities and games such as obstacle course races, egg drop races, and group or pair discussions can help team building.
5. Structure whole-team events
Whole-team activities outside the normal group setting can be a great way for Service Members to improve relationships with one another. Activities such as community service work, movie nights, pizza parties, and attending sporting events are some popular options for off-site bonding.
6. Share your stories
Leaders and team members who share their experiences not only grow as a team but are better able to relate to each other. When individuals know others share similar experiences, they’re more likely to feel a sense of togetherness. Shared stories can happen in a large group setting or as a simple one-on-one check-in.
Understanding how to build strong teams is only a small part of what makes a group successful. Increasing team cohesion through relationship building can be as effective, if not more, to improve team performance. More importantly, building team cohesion gives each person a sense of belonging and creates memories to last a lifetime.
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