The industries you work in, from financial to pharma to technology and everything in between, may look different on the outside, but company leaders in these fields all have one thing in common. They want to connect teams, communicate ideas, and cultivate a positive company culture.
It’s true. No matter the industry, a similarity we see across all our clients is a strong desire to have an engaged and cohesive team.
But is engagement really that important? Does it actually have any impact on employee retention, client satisfaction, or worker health?
According to a 2024 Gallup poll, only 30 percent of full- and part-time employees in the U.S. are engaged with work at their companies. This lack of engagement, though, has long-term consequences.
With a lack of engagement comes a decrease in productivity, customer service, and profitability. Employees who aren’t engaged may be more likely to have negative attitudes, spread dissent among their co-workers, or leave the company.
Why Is Cohesion Important In Teams?
Much like engagement, team cohesiveness matters, too. For example, if teammates need help with communication or conflicts arise, employees may be more likely to disengage from their work, be less likely to commit to the company’s culture, or decide to quit.
Social pain can impact the brain just as much as physical pain can affect the body. Incivility in the workplace affects one’s health and well-being. While conflict can sometimes be good for an organization’s growth, it’s only effective if people respect each other.
When thinking about your own organization, ask yourself how strong the team cohesion is within your company. How much importance do you place on building team cohesion and a cohesive working environment?
How Do You Achieve Team Cohesion
Building team cohesion doesn’t happen overnight—it requires intentionality, effort, and the right strategies. A powerful tool to improve group cohesion is music. Through several powerful experiences, SongDivision can help strengthen employee satisfaction, team cohesiveness, and trust within your organization.
Whether you’re leading a financial, pharmaceutical, or tech organization, these six steps can help you cultivate a cohesive and engaged team:
Step 1. Establish Clear Goals and Values
Align your team around shared goals and core values. A common purpose gives employees a sense of direction and connection to the company’s mission. Communicate these goals consistently and ensure they resonate with all team members.
Step 2. Foster Open Communication
Encourage a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, feedback, and concerns. Active listening and mutual respect are essential for resolving conflicts and maintaining trust within the group.
Step 3. Recognize and Leverage Strengths
Identify and celebrate the unique strengths of each team member. Programs like Team Harmony can help individuals recognize each other’s contributions, building trust and respect within the group.
Step 4. Engage in Collaborative Activities
Create opportunities for teams to work together beyond their daily tasks. Experiences like Song Slam bring employees together through collaborative song-writing, fostering creativity, and building camaraderie through healthy competition.
Step 5. Celebrate Successes Together
Recognize and reward achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s a successful project or a team milestone, collective celebrations strengthen bonds and reinforce a sense of belonging.
Step 6. Utilize the Power of Music
Music is a universal language that can connect people on a deeper level. Experiences like Team Anthem allow teams to write meaningful songs together, embedding the company’s culture and values while creating lasting memories.
By implementing these steps, you’ll lay the foundation for a more cohesive and engaged team, driving productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational success.
Connect with us to learn how we can help build and create more engaged and cohesive teams in your organization through our range of team building and culture-building experiences. All our programs are conducted through the power of music (and delivered both virtually and in-person), which has been proven to help build trust, bond teams, and create memorable experiences.