What Makes A Team Cohesive?

The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ is the result of the partnership between Wiley Workplace Learning Solutions and best-selling author Patrick Lencioni. Together we have created a team development program with a simple goal—to improve team effectiveness and productivity through the understanding and application of The Five Behaviors™: Trust, Conflict, Commitment, Accountability, and Results.

TRUST

BUILDING THE FOUNDATION OF A COHESIVE TEAM

Trust lies at the heart of a functioning, cohesive team and can only happen when team members are willing to be completely vulnerable with one another. This includes saying things like “I’m sorry” or “Your idea was better than mine.” A personality assessment can help people gain insight on their peers and develop empathy, two important qualities that allow a team to build trust.

CONFLICT

ENGAGING IN HEALTHY CONFLICT

Conflict is naturally uncomfortable, but productive conflict focused on concepts and ideas is essential for any great team to grow. When teams have a foundation of vulnerability-based trust, conflict simply becomes an attempt to find the best possible solution in the shortest period of time.

COMMITMENT

BUYING IN ON DECISIONS

Commitment is clarity around decisions, not consensus. With commitment, teams move forward with complete buy-in from every team member – including those who may initially disagree.

ACCOUNTABILITY

HOLDING TEAM MEMBERS ACCOUNTABLE

It’s easy to avoid difficult conversations, but calling out peers on performance or behaviors that might hurt the team is essential to productivity. By “entering the danger” with one another, team members feel trusted, respected, and responsible for getting things done right.

RESULTS

FOCUSING ON COLLECTIVE RESULTS

One of the greatest challenges to team success is the inattention to results. Great teams ensure all members, regardless of their individual responsibilities and areas of expertise, are doing their best to help accomplish team goals.

 

Patrick Lencioni is the founder of The Table Group and the author of ten books that have sold over four million copies and been translated into more than 30 languages. Recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of America’s most sought after business speakers, he has addressed millions of people at conferences and events worldwide over the past 15 years. Pat has written for or been featured in numerous publications including Harvard Business Review, Inc., Fortune, Fast Company, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek.

Everything DiSC® and The Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ are trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc. or its affiliated companies.