What is Group Cohesion?
Many people wonder what the team cohesion means. Group cohesiveness/Team Cohesiveness also known as Social cohesion is a degree of unity of any group. Team cohesiveness is a degree to which group members are attracted or motivated by each other. Basically, group cohesiveness is the closeness amongst the group members. It is seen that members of a highly cohesive group develop some common characteristics:
Everyone respects each other.
They are fully committed to the decision made by the group.
There is good accountability amongst members.
These are some of the positive impacts of team cohesiveness that increases the overall performance of any group. Organizations consider employees as an asset because the organization is dependent on the people working there. As more and more people are involved in the complex functioning of the company, an organization faces the problem of group cohesiveness and its impact on the overall productivity of the organization as well as the in-office harmony.
If the company wants to achieve the organizational goals it is important that managers encourage all the employees to bond with their team members so that the complete team can work together towards achieving the goal. It is very important that there is a healthy conversation and relation between the team members to work efficiently. Instead of focusing on the competition, it is important that people focus on achieving the goals so that there is no unnecessary tension between the groups.
Features of Group Cohesion
Above we had defined group cohesion, Here we will talk about the features of the group cohesiveness. Group cohesiveness is the most important factor to achieve any goal in the organization. To achieve high group cohesion it is important that groups have these features to attain the organizational goals. Managers will have to check these features before forming the group to assure there is high cohesion. Here are some of the features of group cohesiveness:
The cohesive group have fewer members.
Members of the cohesive teams are of similar interests or backgrounds.
It has a high degree of status within organizations.
Members are accessible to each other to maintain easy communication.
Each cohesive team is physically remote from other groups in the organization.
Cooperative behavior is rewarded regularly.
Cohesive groups have a history of past success.
Factors Affecting Group Cohesiveness
Factors that affect group cohesiveness are:
Similarities of Attitudes and Values:
One of the major factors affecting team cohesion is the similarity in attitudes and values among group members. It is basic human nature people enjoy and get attached to the people who have similar opinions, morals, beliefs, and code of conduct as people with the same opinions provide the same kind of social validation.
Size of the Group:
It is assumed that cohesiveness will decrease as the size of the group decreases. When the size of the group increases the interaction with the members becomes more difficult and hence the goal is hampered.
Time:
When people spend time with each other the more they will get close and hence it strengthens the degree of cohesiveness.
Inter Dependency:
When each member has autonomous action, the cohesiveness between the members of such a group would be less as opposed to the group whose members are doing the procedure and are relying upon each other.
Management Behaviour:
If we talk about factors affecting group cohesiveness then management behavior plays a major role in it. When a manager makes a close relationship with a few in groups that may cause unhealthy competition amongst members of the group. It is important that managers reward cooperative behavior so that the bond grows amongst the groups.
Importance of Group Cohesiveness
When we talk about any organization it is important that there is team cohesion to achieve the goal. Here are the importance of group cohesiveness:
Performance: If there is great bonding amongst the group then the performance of the group will become better. If management wants good performance it should encourage its employees towards group cohesion.
Satisfaction: When there is group cohesion the performance will increase and hence it will bring satisfaction to the employees and they will work harder to achieve the goal.
Assurance Pressure: When we talk about group cohesiveness characters and the behavior is the most important factor. When there is a great bonding between the group then it is assured that surely the task will be completed.
Emotional Factors: When people work together and have strong bonding people feel emotionally attached and hence people will work with each other in harmony and achieve the goal together.
FAQs on Group Cohesiveness: Meaning and Importance
1. What exactly is group cohesiveness in an organization?
Group cohesiveness refers to the bond or attraction that holds a group together. It's the degree to which members feel connected to each other and want to remain part of the group. This bond can be based on two main factors:
- Social cohesion: Where members enjoy spending time together and have good personal relationships.
- Task cohesion: Where members are committed to working together to achieve a common goal.
2. Why is a cohesive group so important for a company's success?
A cohesive group is crucial because it directly impacts performance and the work environment. Key benefits include:
- Higher Productivity: Members coordinate their efforts better and are more motivated toward shared objectives.
- Better Communication: There is more open, honest, and frequent communication among members.
- Increased Job Satisfaction: Employees feel a sense of belonging and support, which boosts morale.
- Lower Employee Turnover: Happy and connected employees are less likely to leave the company.
3. What factors can increase or decrease a group's cohesiveness?
Several factors influence how cohesive a group becomes. Factors that can increase cohesiveness include smaller group sizes, clear and agreed-upon goals, more time spent together, and celebrating group successes. Conversely, factors that decrease cohesiveness often include large group sizes, disagreement on goals, unresolved conflicts, and a lack of interaction among members.
4. How does a highly cohesive group behave differently from one with low cohesion?
A highly cohesive group shows strong teamwork, mutual support, and its members often speak in terms of "we" instead of "I". They actively participate and conform to group norms. In contrast, a group with low cohesion often experiences more internal conflicts, poor communication, and members who tend to focus on individual goals. There is generally less motivation to work together effectively.
5. Can you give a real-world example of good group cohesiveness?
A great example is a successful project team in a company. The team members share a clear goal (like launching a new product), spend a lot of time collaborating, and support each other through challenges. This high level of task and social cohesion allows them to solve problems creatively and work together seamlessly, leading to a successful project outcome.
6. Can high group cohesiveness ever be a bad thing for an organization?
Yes, surprisingly, it can. When a group is too cohesive, it can lead to a phenomenon called "groupthink." This is a situation where the desire for harmony and agreement within the group overrides a realistic appraisal of alternatives. Members might avoid raising concerns or different opinions to not disrupt group unity, which can ultimately result in poor or unethical decisions.
