write:58 Cohesion influences the behaviors of teammembers. Behavioral indicators of cohesiveness are team members attending meetings moreoften being on time sitting closer to one anoth

and/or the group’s activities. Cohesion becomesa state in which a group tends to stick together and unite in the pursuit of team goals.56The mutual attraction of the member to the group is the most important determinant ofcohesion.57 Also
the degree to which people feel that being in a team where they fit in (i.e.
a climate of inclusiveness) influences cohesion.58 Cohesion influences the behaviors of teammembers. Behavioral indicators of cohesiveness are team members attending meetings moreoften
being on time
sitting closer to one another
making more eye contact
being lesslikely to quit
and even engaging in longer group hugs.59 When cohesion is strong
thegroup is motivated to perform and is better able to coordinate activities for success. Incohesive teams
there is a sense of “we-ness” since team members tend to use we rather thanI to describe the team and its activities.60 A three-wave longitudinal study of 188 projectteams found that team cohesion leads to group members being engaged in the task
whichin turn had a positive effect on team creative performance.61 Meta-analytic studies havefound that team cohesion and team performance are positively and significantlyrelated.62
63 For example
one review reports the average cohesive team performed 18%higher than the average noncohesive team.64 Since cohesion and performance influence oneanother (in other words
high performance can lead to more cohesion)
a study wasdesigned to determine which comes first—cohesion or performance. The results of thislongitudinal study65 of 205 members of 57 student teams competing in a complex businesssimulation over 10 weeks found that cohesion causes performance
and this effect becamestronger over time. This study also found that the leader makes a difference as well: Teamsthat shared leadership had higher cohesion and performance.Critical Thinking Question: Explain why cohesion in teams may not always be a good thing. Discuss thepotential downside of a team being too cohesive.You may be working in a team for a project for your OB course (or another course). Theextent to which your team is cohesive can be assessed by asking the following questions:66How well do members of your group get along with each other?How well do members of your group stick together (i.e.
remain close to each other)?Would you socialize with the members of your group outside of class?How well do members of your group help each other on the project?Would you want to remain a member of this group for future projects or in future486