Building Cohesion

Mike Alexander LION Organizational Development & Training

Institute Loyalty Integrity Optimism Nobility

Learning Objectives

• Identify the Common Indicators of Cohesion that are missing (or low) in the situation

• Identify the strength of group cohesion (high/low)? • Describe whether or not the group’s cohesion supports the

organization’s goals.

Cohesion Definition?

“The power of a group to think and act as a single

unit in pursuit of a common objective.” Walker

The degree to which members are attracted to

and remain in a group.

The strength by which a group is united in terms of

thought & action in pursuit of a common goal.

Common Indicators of Group Cohesion?

Interaction & Communication

Power of group over individuals in the group - opinions, attitudes & behaviors

Goal Attainment

Member Satisfaction

Loyalty & Identification

Elaborate Norms and Practices

Interaction & Communication Variables with Cohesion

High Indicators

Friendliness

Cooperation

Communications

Meetings

quality & quantity

Low Indicators

Friendliness

Cooperation

Communications

Meetings

Behavioral indicators of the power of

the group over its members

Members are willing to make personal changes &

sacrifices to belong

Members conform to the groups opinions, attitudes & behaviors)

Members have an increased ability to resistant external pressures

Members have an increased ability to resist internal non-conforming pressures

Members are more resilient against collapse of the group

Goal Attainment

• The goals set by the group are difficult & specific. There is timely feedback. The team members participate in the goal setting process.

• Group effort and energy is directed toward attainment of group goals

Member Satisfaction

• Members have a sense of satisfaction from being a part of the group.

• The greater the cohesion, the greater the satisfaction with group membership and the group’s goals and efforts

Group Loyalty & Identification

• The group invokes and inspires greater loyalty from their members.

• Less effort is needed to maintain its members (effort which in turn can be directed towards goal accomplishment).

• When members render loyalty to their group, they develop greater psychological identification with them.

• This identification then elicits loyalty from its members.

Elaborate Group Norms, Practices and symbols

– Examples?

Intangible Variables Associated With Cohesion

High Indicators

Trust

Confidence

Understanding

Performance

Mutual Respect

Low Indicators

Trust

Confidence

Understanding

Performance

Mutual Respect

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice –

Work activities requiring hard work by the group - will enhance cohesion.

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Work activities requiring group cooperation and teamwork for success.

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Provide more opportunities for interaction and communication among all group members will increase cohesion.

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Competition

When done in a positive and productive manner with outside groups can enhance cohesion.

{too high of stakes can lead to illegal or unethical practices.}

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Competition

Keep Members Focused – Goals, Objectives & Strategies

Hard work focused on group’s portion of organization’s mission will enhance cohesion

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Competition

Keep members focused

Unique norms and symbols

Reinforce group’s identity – special uniforms, badges, pins, or privileges.

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Competition

Keep members focused

Unique norms and symbols

Missions

Assign groups unique missions, either as primary or specialty assignments.

Cohesion Leader Strategies

Sacrifice

Teamwork

Interaction

Competition

Keep members focused

Unique norms and symbols

Missions

s.t.i.c.k.u.m.

Group Cohesion & Group Performance

(High Performance)

(Medium

Performance)

(Low Performance) (Low Performance)

Cohesion at every level in a police organization

Group Loyalty & Identification

The group invokes and inspires greater loyalty from their members.

Questions?

L.I.O.N. ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE MIKE.ALEXANDER@LIONLEADERSHIP-

INSTITUTE.COM 512-784-6580

LOYALTY – INTEGRITY – OPTIMISM – NOBILITY

Mike Alexander