Strategies for Strengthening Team Harmony and Effective Communication
Team cohesion is a crucial aspect of any successful organisation. A well-knit team can communicate effectively, foster a sense of belonging, and boost motivation. This article explores various methods and activities to help build team cohesion, drawing from positive psychology research, innovative facilitation techniques, and practical examples.
Popular Team-Building Activities
CliftonStrengths and VIA Strengths
CliftonStrengths, developed by Gallup, and VIA Strengths, based on research in positive psychology, are two well-known assessments that focus on character strengths. CliftonStrengths, while pricey, is known for its shared language across organisations, making team comparisons easier. The VIA Strengths survey, administered by a nonprofit run by psychologists, including Martin Seligman, offers a free version for self-interpretation and a team report for easy comparisons among team members.
Liberating Structures
Liberating Structures, introduced while teaching psychology and managing a design team, are approaches to facilitating group interactions that encourage greater participation, inclusion, and innovation. One of the simplest Liberating Structures, 1-2-4-all, has been found to significantly improve group cohesion and a sense of belonging. These structures can be used as retreat or meeting activities and/or within existing meetings.
Other Team-Building Activities
Activities for building team cohesion are not limited to these assessments. Many activities listed are brief (5-10 minutes) and can be used at the start or end of team meetings. SessionLab provides another list of activities for team cohesion, with clear instructions for each activity. Activities such as real-time activities that force members to attempt new ways of speaking and relating can also enhance communication and team relationships.
The Importance of Repeated Interactions
Learning is best spaced out over time, and repeated, brief interactions are more effective for everyone involved. Changing the structure of existing team meetings can enhance communication and team relationships, thereby enhancing retention. Fรผhrungskrรคfte, or leadership forces, recommend team-building activities such as short energisers, half-day workshops (like cooking courses or creative workshops), full-day outdoor events (like raft-building, sporting tournaments), and regular team days, to strengthen communication, team spirit, and motivation.
A Balanced Approach
While assessments can be a means of building team cohesion, they should not be used in isolation. A balanced approach that includes various activities and methods, such as Liberating Structures and real-time team-building activities, is essential for a cohesive and productive team.
