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QUESTION 
Group cohesion
 
Can you see any dangers in creating a very close-knit group? Think of the effect of strong team cohesion 
on: 
(a) 
What the group spends its energies and attention on 
(b) 
How the group regards outsiders, and any information or feedback they supply 
(c) 
How the group makes decisions 
What could be done about these dangerous effects? 
ANSWER 
Problems may arise in an ultra close-knit group because: 
(a) 
The group's energies may be focused on its own maintenance and relationships, instead of on the 
task. 
(b) 
The group may be suspicious or dismissive of outsiders, and may reject any contradictory 
information or criticism they supply; the group will be blinkered and stick to its own views, no 
matter what; cohesive groups thus often get the impression that they are infallible: they can't be 
wrong – and therefore can't learn from their mistakes. 
BPP Tutor Toolkit Copy

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PART D: LEADING AND MANAGING INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS 
 
370
 
(c) 
The group may squash any dissent or opinions that might rock the boat. Close-knit groups tend to 
preserve a consensus – falsely, if required – and to take risky decisions, because they have 
suppressed alternative facts and viewpoints. 
This phenomenon is called '
group think
' (Janis, 1982). In order to limit its effect, the team must be 
encouraged to: 
(a) 
Actively seek outside ideas and feedback 
(b) 
Welcome self-criticism within the group 
(c) 
Consciously evaluate conflicting evidence and opinions 
 
6.3 Commitment to shared objectives 
Getting commitment to the team's shared objectives may involve a range of leader activity. 

Clearly setting out the objectives of the team 

Allowing the team to participate in setting objectives 

Giving regular feedback on progress and results with constructive criticism 

Getting the team involved in providing performance feedback 

Offering positive reinforcement (praise etc) for co-operative working and task achievement by the 
team as a whole (rather than just 'star' individuals) 

Championing the success of the team within the organisation