Why Teams Bond

Teams bond when they struggle together to accomplish an objective. Every military, athletic and business leader knows this truth and relies upon it.

Why do team members choose to join in the struggle?

Accomplishing the objective is meaningful. The struggle provides a unique opportunity to make a difference, to contribute to a vital, significant endeavor.

Participating enables mastery. Struggling with the team to overcome barriers enables the mastery of individual strengths that increase satisfaction, self-confidence and self-worth.

Experiencing autonomy drives accountability.
Sharing the responsibility for decision-making, and for the consequences of decisions, increases accountability, engagement, innovation and the motivation to invest whatever energy and talent is necessary to secure a successful outcome.

Since leaders cannot compel teams to bond, they must create the conditions for the bonding to occur. The commitment eventually made by each team member cultivates a shared accountability within the team that drives performance and improves results.