How You Can Improve Team Cohesion Through Strategic Recognition & Rewards

Do you know how many factors you must keep in check consistently to maintain your team’s dynamics?

Since becoming a team leader, I have been learning everything I can to build my team. While doing some research, I came across the term “Team Cohesion.”

So, what does team cohesion mean?

At its core, team cohesion or group cohesion refers to the strength of the relationships between team members and their collective commitment to a shared goal.

The need for strong team cohesion is especially pressing in environments where collaboration is essential, such as in remote teams, cross-functional groups, and fast-growing startups. But while team cohesion is often seen as something that naturally develops over time, it’s also something that can be intentionally nurtured.

In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that shape team cohesion, the challenges that teams face, and, most importantly, the strategies you can implement, with rewards and recognition at the forefront, to build a more cohesive and high-performing team.

What is Team Cohesion?

Team cohesion is what holds a group of individuals together and drives them to work towards a common goal. It’s the sense of connection, trust, and mutual respect that allows team members to collaborate effectively, overcome challenges, and celebrate collective success.

Without this cohesion, even the most skilled teams may struggle to reach their full potential, as individual efforts often fall short of the synergy that a well-knit team can achieve.

But team cohesion isn’t just about getting along or being friendly with colleagues. It's about creating an environment where team members are -

• fully engaged,
• not afraid to share their ideas and feedback, and
• work towards common objectives with shared purpose.

When teams experience high cohesion, they are more productive, more resilient in the face of challenges, and more likely to achieve their goals together.

A Stanford University study found that teams collaborating effectively are 50% more productive.

Decoding Team Cohesion: What Makes a Team Truly Cohesive?

Team cohesion is a complex concept that can be explored from various angles. Yes, you can start your first step by just about being friendly with your teammates. But that’s not enough. You must take the necessary steps to create a strong bond where everyone feels like a vital part of the team and is actively working towards the same objectives.

A recent study found that employee productivity can decrease up to 21% due to feelings of isolation.

To better understand team cohesion, we can break it down through different models. These models highlight the various stages and behaviors that foster strong, cohesive teams. Let’s explore them to see what makes a team truly cohesive.

Tuckman Model: Stages of Team Growth

The Tuckman Model named after Bruce W. Tuckman provides a valuable framework for understanding how teams evolve. It breaks down the team development process into five stages: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, and Adjourning.

Each stage represents a different phase in the team’s growth and maturity, and strategic rewards and recognition can be key to navigating these phases effectively.

1. Forming: Initial Team Connection

In the Forming stage, the team is just starting to come together. Members are getting to know each other, establishing trust, and figuring out their roles. This phase can feel awkward, as everyone is still adjusting to the work group dynamics and working out the logistics of collaboration.

This is a crucial stage where early recognition can set a positive tone. Recognizing individual contributions (even small ones) during this stage can help team members feel valued.

Simple acts of acknowledgment can go a long way in building the foundation of trust and rapport needed for team cohesion.

2. Storming: Navigating Early Conflicts

As the team moves into the Storming stage, conflicts and disagreements will likely arise. In this second phase, team members push against each other’s ideas and roles. It’s a natural part of the team development process but can be uncomfortable and challenging if not managed well.

Here, recognition for constructive conflict resolution plays a significant role. Acknowledge team members for handling disagreements with respect and professionalism. This will help diffuse tension and encourage more open communication.

Recognition during this stage can show that the team values healthy debate and is committed to working through differences rather than avoiding them.

3. Norming: Building Team Rhythm

In the Norming stage, the team starts to settle into a rhythm. Roles are clearly defined, relationships are stronger, and team members are learning to collaborate effectively. Team cohesion begins to flourish as team members adapt with each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

During this phase, team-based recognition is powerful. Acknowledging the team as a whole for building processes, solving problems together, and establishing norms can reinforce the collective effort required for success.

Source: Vantage Recognition

Celebrating these milestones reminds the team that their joint efforts drive results, strengthening their unity.

4. Performing: High-Performance Synergy

The Performing stage represents the peak of team effectiveness. At this point, the team is highly cohesive, working with a sense of shared purpose and high efficiency. Members trust each other’s abilities, and collaboration is seamless. Goals are consistently met, and the team is functioning like a well-oiled machine.

At this stage, consistently recognizing team milestones is crucial for maintaining motivation and performance. Here, the result of recognition can be twofold -

Recognizing target or project milestone achievements boosts morale and keeps the team focused on the bigger picture.

Rewarding the team for their collective achievements ensures that the sense of shared purpose remains strong.

5. Adjourning: Project Closure & Reflection

In the Adjourning stage, the team disbands after completing its goals or project. This phase marks the end of the journey.

However, it’s important not to overlook the significance of recognizing individual and team contributions during this time.

Celebrating the team’s achievements and providing personal recognition for each member’s role in the project can give a sense of closure and satisfaction. It’s essential to reflect on what went well, what can be improved, and how each person contributed to the team’s success.

Lencioni Model: Overcoming Team Dysfunctions

Patrick Lencioni’s model of team cohesion focuses on the five dysfunctions that can hinder a team’s effectiveness. According to Lencioni, when teams fail to address these dysfunctions, cohesion falters, and performance suffers. His model can be best depicted as a pyramid -

However, understanding and addressing these dysfunctions through strategic rewards and recognition can help restore and strengthen team unity.

Let’s have a detailed look at them.

1. Absence of Trust: Foundation Issues

Trust is the foundation of any cohesive team. Without trust, team members are less likely to be vulnerable, share their ideas, or engage in open, honest communication.

Team members may struggle to collaborate effectively when there is an absence of trust. The fear of judgment from others can stifle creativity and innovation.

In this stage, recognition can play a vital role in fostering trust. Recognize individuals who share openly, admit mistakes, or support colleagues. This encourages a culture of vulnerability and honesty.

2. Fear of Conflict: Stifled Debate

When team members are afraid of conflict, they may avoid difficult conversations, suppress their opinions, and make decisions without fully exploring the available options. While avoiding conflict might seem like a way to keep the peace, it often leads to poor decision-making and missed opportunities.

A key way to overcome this dysfunction is by rewarding teams that engage in constructive debates. Recognize the team’s behaviors, i.e.,

• speaking up in meetings,
• questioning assumptions, and
• engaging in discussions that drive better decisions.

3. Lack of Commitment: Ambiguity & Hesitation

When team members are not fully committed, there’s often a lack of clarity around team goals, roles, or responsibilities. Ambiguity and hesitation can lead to a lack of action, with team members unsure of how to contribute or where to focus their efforts.

To tackle this dysfunction, recognition can be used to celebrate commitment. Publicly acknowledge team members who take ownership of tasks or commit to deadlines. This encourages everyone in the team to be more deliberate and intentional about their contributions.

4. Avoidance of Accountability: Lowered Standards

When team members avoid holding each other accountable, performance standards can slip. This can lead to missed deadlines, incomplete tasks, and a sense of frustration within the team.

Peer-to-peer recognition is key to addressing this issue.

Source: Vantage Recognition

Acknowledge when team members hold each other accountable, offer constructive feedback, and step in to support one another when needed.

5. Inattention to Results: Misplaced Priorities

When team members focus more on individual goals or personal agendas, the overall team performance suffers. Teams that lose sight of the bigger picture can waste time and resources, and cohesion can quickly disintegrate.

In this stage, recognizing team achievements rather than individual accomplishments helps focus the team on shared goals.

GRPI Model: Key Elements for Team Success

The GRPI Model offers a straightforward framework for understanding the essential elements that drive team cohesion and success. GRPI stands for

• Goals
• Roles
• Processes
• Interpersonal Relationships

By focusing on these elements and integrating recognition and rewards at each step, teams can cultivate the cohesion necessary to reach their highest potential.

1. Goals: Shared Direction

The foundation of any cohesive team is a shared vision and clear goals. Without clear goals, teams can quickly become disoriented, leading to confusion, frustration, and a lack of focus.

Recognize teams that have clearly defined goals such as,

• setting measurable objectives
• aligning with the company’s larger mission.

This recognition keeps teams on track and encourages them to strive for success.

2. Roles: Defined Responsibilities

In a cohesive team, every member understands their role and the value they bring to the table. When roles are unclear, overlapping responsibilities or missed expectations can cause tension and undermine the team's effectiveness.

Here, recognition can be utilized as a powerful tool. Appreciate employees who take ownership of their roles and contribute to team processes.

3. Processes: Effective Workflows

Efficient team processes allow a team to function smoothly and achieve its goals effectively. Teams that fail to define or improve their processes often struggle with bottlenecks, confusion, and wasted time.

Recognize teams that works on optimizing workflows or finding innovative solutions. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement, where everyone feels motivated to contribute to the team’s success.

4. Interpersonal Relationships: Positive Interactions

While goals and processes are important, the relationships within a team are what make it truly cohesive. Strong, positive relationships enable team members to -

• communicate openly,
• trust each other, and
• collaborate without friction.

Recognizing behaviors that promote open communication, respect, and mutual support, you create a team culture where everyone feels valued and motivated to contribute their best.

Factors That Shape Team Cohesion: What Influences Team Unity?

Team cohesion doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Several factors contribute to how well a team connects, collaborates, and performs. These factors can be broken down into -

1. Individual factors,
2. Team factors, and
3. Environmental factors

Each play a significant role in shaping the overall team dynamics. Understanding these influences is essential for fostering a more cohesive, high-performing team.

1. Individual Factors

The foundation of team cohesion often starts with the individuals who make up the team. Each team member brings their unique personality, motivations, and skill set to the group. How these individual traits align with the team’s needs can significantly impact cohesion.

1.1 Personality: Individual Impact

Personality traits have a profound influence on how well team members work together. Traits like agreeableness, empathy, and openness to feedback can foster collaboration. On the other hand, traits such as dominance or closed-mindedness may lead to tension and conflict within the team.

1.2 Motivation: Driving Force Within

A motivated team is an engaged and high-performing team. When motivation is high, team members are more likely to collaborate and go the extra mile to help one another achieve common goals.

To encourage this behavior, celebrate team members who demonstrate motivation through their actions.

1.3. Skills & Abilities: Complementary Strengths

A well-rounded team is one that leverages the diverse skills and abilities of its members. Every individual brings something unique to the table, and when these skills complement each other, teams can work more effectively and efficiently.

2. Team Factors

Beyond individual factors, the way team members interact with each other and the norms they establish can significantly influence team cohesion.

2.1 Shared Values: Common Ground

When team members share common values and a unified purpose, it becomes easier for them to work together towards a common goal. Shared values help create a sense of belonging and a strong foundation for collaboration.

2.2 Communication: Lifeblood of Teamwork

Effective communication is at the heart of team cohesion. When team members communicate openly, share information freely, and actively listen to each other, trust grows, and collaboration flourishes.

On the other hand, poor communication leads to misunderstandings, frustration, and disengagement.

2.3 Leadership: Setting the Tone

Leadership plays a pivotal role in shaping team cohesion. Leaders influence the team’s culture, set expectations, and model behaviors that either promote or hinder team unity. A strong leader builds trust, fosters collaboration, and encourages personal accountability.

3. Environmental Factors: Broader Context

In addition to individual and team factors, organizational and external influences can shape team cohesion.

3.1 Organizational Culture: Values in Action

Company culture is a powerful driver of team cohesion. A supportive, inclusive, and collaborative culture fosters an environment where teams can thrive.

3.2 Resources: Enabling Team Success

Resources like time, tools, or personnel are essential for team success. When teams have what they need to do their jobs effectively, they can focus on their work and achieve higher performance.

3.3. External Threats: Unity in Adversity

External challenges, such as market competition or industry disruptions, can sometimes pull teams together. In the face of adversity, teams often unify to tackle challenges and overcome obstacles.

Roadblocks to Team Cohesion: Common Challenges

Despite the best efforts to build team cohesion, every team encounters roadblocks. These challenges can arise at any stage, and they often require intentional effort to overcome.

While team dynamics and organizational culture are important, certain issues can hinder cohesion and affect team performance.

Let’s explore some of the most common roadblocks and how recognition can help teams navigate them effectively.

1. Communication Barriers: Misunderstandings

Poor communication is one of the most significant barriers to team cohesion. When communication breaks down, misunderstandings and confusion follow. This further leads to frustration and disengagement.

Recognizing efforts to improve team communication. Ensure everyone’s voice is heard, share critical updates, and prioritize good communication.

2. Lack of Trust: Erosion of Unity

Trust is the backbone of any cohesive team. Without trust, team members are unlikely to be vulnerable, share ideas, or collaborate effectively. A lack of trust can lead to defensiveness and a lack of synergy.

Recognition for trust-building behaviors such as honesty, transparency, and supporting colleagues can foster a stronger sense of mutual respect.

3. Physical Proximity: Remote Work Issues

As we transition to working remotely or in hybrid setups, we encounter challenges for cohesion. The physical distance between team members can make

• building relationships harder,
• spontaneous conversations difficult, and
• team’s purpose less connected.

Recognize efforts to bridge the distance, such as scheduling regular check-ins, using virtual collaboration tools, or organizing remote team-building activities.

4. Personality Clashes: Conflict & Tension

Every team is made up of individuals with unique personalities, and these differences can sometimes lead to conflict. Personality clashes can create tension, disrupt collaboration, and even impact morale if not managed effectively.

Recognize team members when they showcase conflict resolution skills. This reinforces the idea that healthy conflict is part of teamwork and is necessary for growth and progress.

5. Lack of Clear Goals: Confusion & Misalignment

When goals aren’t clearly defined or aren’t aligned with the team’s objectives, it’s easy for team members to become confused or disengaged. Without clear direction, team members may struggle to understand their priorities, leading to inefficiencies and frustration.

Reward teams that set clear, actionable goals and focus on the bigger picture.

Strategies to Ignite Team Cohesion: Building a Stronger Unit

While challenges can impede team cohesion, there are also several proven strategies that leaders and team members can adopt to strengthen their bond.

Let’s dive into some actionable strategies to ignite team cohesion, with rewards and recognition integrated at every step.

1. Clear Mission & Goals: The North Star

Define clear mission and set SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) that are aligned with the team’s vision. Break down larger objectives into smaller, manageable tasks that everyone can contribute to.

2. Open Communication: The Dialogue Engine

Foster open communication by encouraging regular updates and feedback sessions. Provide the necessary tools to keep everyone connected.

3. Trust & Safety: Foundation of Vulnerability

Create a safe space for team members to express themselves by modeling vulnerability as a leader. Encourage openness and clarify that mistakes are part of the learning process.

4. Celebrate Success: Fuel Positive Momentum

Regularly celebrate individual and team successes, whether it’s achieving a project milestone, reaching a sales target, or simply completing a challenging task.

5. Assessment Tools: Data-Driven Improvement

Implement regular team assessments to gather feedback and identify collaboration, communication, or performance gaps. Use this information to create action plans for improvement.

Recommended Resource: 65 Quick and Easy Team Building Activities Your Employees Will Love

Leadership's Role: Building Team Cohesion

When it comes to building team cohesion, a leader’s actions and behaviors can either foster unity or create divisions. Leaders influence how team members interact, collaborate, and contribute to shared goals.

Let’s break down the key leadership behaviors that foster team cohesion and how they can be reinforced through recognition.

Fostering Team Spirit

A clear vision sets the tone for the entire team. Leaders who articulate a compelling vision help team members see how their efforts contribute to a larger mission.

Leadership must acknowledge team leads and members who successfully communicate the vision and help the team stay on track.

Leading with Integrity

Leaders should model transparency, honesty, and accountability in their actions. This shows the team that trust is earned through consistent, positive behavior.

Leadership must recognize members who build trust by being transparent, making ethical decisions, and being reliable.

Empowering Autonomy

Empowerment is a key factor in building team cohesion. Leaders should delegate authority and give team members the autonomy to take ownership of their work and decision-making processes.

Championing Diversity & Inclusion

Leaders should actively promote diversity and inclusion by creating an environment where differences are celebrated and every team member feels they belong.

Leadership must publicly appreciate members who promote inclusivity, whether through initiating diversity programs or supporting underrepresented team members.

Balance Results & Well-being

The best leaders understand the need to balance team performance with employee well-being. Leaders should set clear performance goals while encouraging work-life balance and providing resources to support employees' mental and physical health.

Summing up: Team Cohesion as an Ongoing Journey

Team cohesion is a continuous journey, not a one-time achievement. Focus on key strategies like trust, communication, empowerment, and inclusion. When strategic rewards and recognition support these strategies, leaders can build teams that are motivated to achieve collective success.

Models like Tuckman, Lencioni, and GRPI offer valuable frameworks for navigating team development while recognizing individual and team contributions, which further strengthens collaboration.

Ultimately, fostering team cohesion is about creating a lasting culture of respect, collaboration, and shared purpose that drives both short-term and long-term success.

This article was co-authored by Nilotpal M Saharia and Mrinmoy Rabha, who work as marketers and specializes in content marketing, and Recognition and Rewards at Vantage Circle. For any queries reach out to editor@vantagecircle.com.