Posted by fschmidt on
URL: https://coalpha.arkian.net/Group-Cohesion-tp5588680p5590201.html

J. Donner wrote

Focusing on uniforms/hair cuts/marching cadences etc is focusing on style over substance. Create something of substance and the style will naturally evolve from it; style is never the defining element of a truly successful/strong group.

I think I agree.  Style can help but it has to be based on substance.

I am not sure what creates group cohesion, but I can venture some guesses.  One is shared core values, as suggested by J. Donner.  It might be worth starting a thread on that topic.  Another is simply time spent together.  People who work together tend to develop some connection.  And a more intense version of this is dealing with shared stress.  Men who fight together in war tend to develop strong bonds.  Many team building exercises are based on this idea of shared stress.  Anyway, I haven't studied this question, but those are my guesses.