To foster group cohesiveness, communicate a clear team purpose and make sure that everyone knows each others' roles. Each individual and department should be held accountable for a specific achievement for the organization as a whole as well as rewarded for good team effort. The mission statement and the details of what the company does and why should be easily identifiable by all. You may want to create a company policy to refer to workers as team members rather than employees. Experiences outside the workplace, such as team sports or a trip outdoors, can deepen the bonds and trust among individuals to help foster group cohesiveness.
Hiring a corporate trainer experienced in team building may help you add more social cohesion in your workplace. The exercises these types of trainers usually do with employees are usually fun and, even more importantly, memorable for those involved. For example, one classic type of group cohesiveness exercise to help foster the concept of a team of people working together for a common goal is a blindfolded egg and spoon race. One employee is blindfolded and must carry a raw egg on a spoon through an obstacle course while his or her teammates guide the person to the finish with just their voices directions.
Some companies like to create sports teams to compete with other businesses in the same industry. The idea of everyone working as a team is a very literal way to foster group cohesiveness. Whether the sport is bowling, soccer or something else, your employees will be playing as one team, all wearing the same uniform. Another possibility is to arrange a company camping or canoe trip in which everyone is responsible for one chore, such as cooking, setting up and taking down tents, dish washing or gathering wood for the campfire. These types of out of the office activities can be fun while also helping to bond the group.
Making sure that your company's policies enforce the idea of team members over just employees is important. Creating a company culture of communication, respect and fairness is also crucial, or workers may feel alienated and not want to stay with the company. Fair pay and reasonable conditions are necessary for group cohesiveness, but every team member must also be expected to do his or her part to accomplish the company's purpose. During staff meetings, on work boards or on office memos, try to include a reminder about the company's mission and each department's role in it.
